Atrazine and reproductive function: mode and mechanism of action studies.
Atrazine, a chlorotriazine herbicide, is used to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. In this review, we summarize our laboratory's work evaluating the neuroendocrine toxicity of atrazine (and related chlorotriazines) from an historic perspective. We provide the rationale for our work as we have endeavored to determine: 1) the underlying reproductive changes leading to the development of mammary gland tumors in the atrazine-exposed female rat; 2) the cascade of physiological events that are responsible for these changes (i.e., the mode of action for mammary tumors); 3) the potential cellular mechanisms involving adverse effects of atrazine; and 4) the range of reproductive alterations associated with this pesticide.
Cooper
Ralph L
RL
Endocrinology Branch, Reproductive Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA. cooper.ralph@epa.gov
Laws
Susan C
SC
Das
Parikshit C
PC
Narotsky
Michael G
MG
Goldman
Jerome M
JM
Lee Tyrey
E
E
Stoker
Tammy E
TE
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D001280:Atrazine / Q000633:toxicity*; D017606:Chlorine Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D015674:Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / Q000139:chemically induced; D010060:Ovulation / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011255:Pregnancy Maintenance / Q000187:drug effects; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects
D017606:Chlorine Compounds; D004967:Estrogens; D006540:Herbicides; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D001280:Atrazine