Abstract
THE increase in the number of reports of abnormalities in male sex development in wildlife and humans coincided with the introduction of 'oestrogenic' chemicals such as DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) into the environment. Although these phenotypic alterations are thought to be mediated by the oestrogen receptor, they are also consistent with inhibition of androgen receptor-mediated events. Here we report that the major and persistent DDT metabolite,P,P′-DDE (l,l-dichloro-2,2-bis(P- chlorophenyl)ethylene), has little ability to bind the oestrogen receptor, but inhibits androgen binding to the androgen receptor, androgen-induced transcriptional activity, and androgen action in developing, pubertal and adult male rats. The results suggest that abnormalities in male sex development induced by P,P′-DDE and related environmental chemicals may be mediated at the level of the androgen receptor.
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Kelce, W., Stone, C., Laws, S. et al. Persistent DDT metabolite p,p'–DDE is a potent androgen receptor antagonist. Nature 375, 581–585 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/375581a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/375581a0
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