Developmental exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors and adverse effects on mammary gland development

Abstract

The breast or mammary gland is an organ highly dependent upon hormones and other endogenous growth catalysts for normal development. Environmental chemical exposures have been associated with altered breast developmental timing in populations of girls, and several chemicals and dietary agents are known to induce delayed or accelerated mammary gland development in rodent models. These alterations in development are more likely to occur if exposure to endocrine disruptors coincides with periods of rapid cellular proliferation. These periods of growth include prenatal, peripubertal, and pregnant/lactational mammary development. This chapter will outline the studies that have shown significant effects of environmental chemicals on mammary gland development in rodent models and discuss the relationship of these data to later life adverse health repercussions.