Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a broad class of molecules present in our environment that are suspected to cause adverse effects in the endocrine system by interfering with the synthesis, transport, degradation, or action of endogenous hormones. Humans are generally exposed to low doses of pollutants, and current researches aim at deciphering the mechanisms accounting for the health impact of EDCs at environmental concentrations. Here, we review different mechanisms through which EDCs might alter hormonal functions by interfering with the nuclear receptors and related pathways, including extranuclear signaling by membrane-bound receptors mediating rapid non-genomic responses, and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.