Wykrywanie i ocena aktywności związków hormonalnie aktywnych

During the last two decades concerns have been raised regarding the possible harmful effects of exposure to certain chemicals (natural and synthetic) that can modulate or disrupt the endocrine system (endocrine disrupters, EDs). Their identification and assessment is complicated by a number of mechanisms on which they act. As a result a variety of in silico/in vitro/in vivo methods are used. In this paper the most valuable methods for initial assessment, screening and testing are reviewed. To protect public health, future risk assessment of endocrine disrupters must take into account exposure to the mixtures in which different compounds can interact. The development of fast and sensitive bioassays is crucial to the achievement of this goal.