Mixture Effects on Endocrine Function---Case Studies

5 Mixture Effects on Endocrine Function—Case Studies 

Mixtures of endocrine disrupting chemicals have been shown to produce additive, synergistic, and unexpected dose-response effects. The following studies are illustrative of the effects noted. 

Linuron, a urea derivative herbicide and androgen receptor antagonist, and butyl benyl phthalate, a plasticizer, are two compounds with very different chemical properties, yet in a laboratory animal study, prenatal exposure to a mixture of these produced dose-additive testosterone and other adverse developmental effects. I66  

In an in vitro study, mixtures of six synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals and plant-derived phytoestrogens were evaluated for estrogenic activity The EDCs were 

At low doses, additive effects were observed. At higher doses, however, the responses of mixtures of synthetic EDCs and phytoestrogens were greater than additive. In this study, mixtures of the synthetic chemicals alone interacted in a less than additive manner. These results illustrate the often unpredictable interaction of endocrine disrupting mixtures. 

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