Endocrine Disruptor Studies

Concern over the effects of man made compounds which mimic or inhibit the actions of naturally occurring hormones has become a focal point of concern in the scientific community and the public as a whole. These compounds have been termed endocrine disruptors and the study of their side effects has become an EPA imitative. Many of these compounds have the ability to competitively interact with endogenous substances and/or to bind to hormone receptor sites. As consequence they may activate natural processes inappropriately or they may irreversibly bind to membrane receptors and competitively inhibit normal hormone activation sequences. The long-term consequences to wildlife populations are the subject of considerable research, and Springborn Smithers Laboratories has positioned itself to be a party to this process.

Springborn Smithers has made the study of Endocrine Disruptor Screening a priority in its testing development and this is evident in particular in our avian toxicology department. In addition to working on methodologies for the proposed Tier 1 and Tier 2 assays Springborn Smithers is conducting research toward developing field deployable techniques to monitor exposure to environmental estrogens throughout the reproductive cycle in wild birds and is working on techniques to monitor the effects of exogenous estrogen on mate selection. Although developmental in nature this new work offers promise for the future in this important new area of environmental assessment.