Insecticides estrogenic effects

Raizada RB, Srivastava MK, Dikshith TSS. 1991. Lack of estrogenic effects of endosulfan An organochlorine insecticide in rat. Nat Acad Sci Lett 14(2) 103-107. 

Organochlorine insecticides cause eggshell thinning in raptors (e.g., eagles, hawks) and estrogenic effects in birds, leading to infertility. 

Other types of insecticides have been developed and used over the past several decades. To discuss them all requires an entire course. There is an ASIDE which illustrates the halogenated hydrocarbons most of which are not in current use because of their effects on the environment (DDT) and toxicity to humans (Dieldrin/Aldrin). Estrogenic acivity of DDT led to fatal fragility in the eggs of certain predatory birds. All of these compounds are lipophilic and interfere with nerve signal transmission. 

Welch RM, Levin W, Kuntzman R, et al. 1971. Effect of halogenated hydrocarbon insecticides on the metabolism and uterotropic action on estrogens in rats and mice. Toxicol AppI Pharmacol 19 234-246. 

Isoflavonoids show fungicidal and bactericidal effects. They play an important role as constitutive constituents and also as phytoalexins. From the pharmacological point of view estrogenic activity of isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein is of increasing relevance (Harbome and Williams 2000). Rotenoids, especially rotenone, are potent insecticides. 

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