Chemistry of Natural and Anthropogenic Endocrine Active Compounds

Abstract

Research over the past years has revealed that numerous compounds present in our environment exert hormonal activity and thus have the potential to interfere with the endocrine system of humans and animals. These endocrine active compounds comprise both naturally occurring substances and man-made chemicals, and their chemical structures are surprisingly diverse. This chapter provides an overview of the chemical structures of typical endocrine active compounds, which are discussed in other chapters of this book with respect to their occurrence, mechanisms of action, implications for human health, and environmental significance.