Recent developments and concepts of effect-based methods for the detection of endocrine activity and the importance of antagonistic effects

Abstract Regarding endocrine disrupting chemicals, an impact on aquatic organisms at already very low concentrations is observed. Consequently, there is a need for sensitive analytical methods. Currently, no instrumental analysis methods exist that fulfil this requirement. To overcome these limitations, effect-based methods (EBMs) are one option for screening and quantification. Determination of agonistic effects caused by estrogens are the focus of current research activities due to environmental impacts and regulatory measures. However, antagonistic effects have to be considered to be able to correlate effects to single compounds, which is still necessary due to regulatory requirements. Since not much is known about relevant antagonists, this review highlights the perspectives and limitations of EBMs. The relevance of antagonistic acting compounds shows the potential of a systematic identification by effect-directed analysis. Collected data of already known antagonists are presented and discussed in a harmonized fashion as basis for future studies.