title: Perinatal exposure to endocrine disruptors: sex, timing and behavioral endpoints.
abstract: Of the approximately 85,000 chemicals in use, 1000 have been identified as having the ability to disrupt normal endocrine function. Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during critical period in brain differentiation (prenatal and neonatal life) via the mother can alter the course of the development of sexually dimorphic behaviors. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a very high volume chemical used in plastic, resins and other products, and virtually everyone examined has detectable BPA. BPA has estrogenic activity and is one of the most studied EDCs. We review evidence from studies in rodents using dose levels relevant to human exposure. BPA alters behavior and eliminates or in some cases reverses sexually dimorphic behaviors observed in unexposed animals.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Behavioral Biology, Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Viale delle Scienze 11/A, Parma 43100, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Palanza
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA.
authors.forename: Susan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Nagel
authors.affiliation: Unit of Behavioral Biology, Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Viale delle Scienze 11/A, Parma 43100, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parmigiani
authors.affiliation: Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA.
authors.forename: Frederick S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Vom Saal