The identification of endocrine disruptors typically involves a combination of assays: Binding Assays: These assays determine if a chemical can bind to hormone receptors such as estrogen, androgen, and thyroid receptors. Examples include competitive binding assays and reporter gene assays. Functional Assays: Assess the biological activity of a chemical by measuring changes in hormone levels, cell proliferation, or gene expression. Examples include E-SCREEN for estrogenic activity and AR assay for androgenic activity. Animal Studies: Provide insights into the long-term and developmental effects of endocrine disruptors. Common tests include uterotrophic assays and Hershberger assays.
