The effects of endocrine disruptors on fish

Abstract

Nowadays, there are a lot of researches about the effects of endocrine disruptors on human and wildlife organisms. Endocrine disruptors are exogenous substances or substance mixtures that cause undesired effects in the organism or in future generations by altering the endocrine system of the exposed organism. Fish are exposed to endocrine disruptors in several ways including water, sediment, and diet. The toxic effects of endocrine disruptors on fish vary according to the exposure period, duration of exposure, chemical properties of the substances, and whether the exposed substance is single or mixed with other substances. Within the scope of this review, the classification of endocrine disruptors, their usage areas, their way of mixing into the aquatic ecosystem, and their toxic effects on fish will be explained.