Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

Methods to Test Endocrine Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: July 3, 2019
Cryptorchidism and endocrine disrupting chemicals
Helena E Virtanen1, Annika Adamsson
1Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Finland. helena.virtanen@utu.fi
Abstract:
Prospective clinical studies have suggested that the rate of congenital cryptorchidism has increased since the 1950s. It has been hypothesized that this may be related to environmental factors. Testicular descent occurs in two phases controlled by Leydig cell-derived hormones insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) and testosterone. Disorders in fetal androgen production/action or suppression of Insl3 are mechanisms causing cryptorchidism in rodents. In humans, prenatal exposure to potent estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) has been associated with increased risk of cryptorchidism. In addition, epidemiological studies have suggested that exposure to pesticides may also be associated with cryptorchidism. Some case-control studies analyzing environmental chemical levels in maternal breast milk samples have reported associations between cryptorchidism and chemical levels. Furthermore, it has been suggested that exposure levels of some chemicals may be associated with infant reproductive hormone levels.
Related Concept Videos
Infertility in Males
Spermatogenesis
Oogenesis
Sex-linked Disorders
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
The Endocrine System

