| In recent years, more and more studies have reported that synthetic compounds have the hormone-like biological effects in environment. These chemicals can disrupt the function of endocrine, change the cellular signaling pathways, then induce functional abnormalities of immunity system, nerve system and reproductive system. So, they are called Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The mechanisms of EDCs are complicated and the estrogen-like effect is possibly one of them. Boron is a nonmetal element that is found in the water, rocks and some soils. Boron has many kinds of biological effects and its biological effects on the health of animals and human have been gradually concerned. Some reports have showed boron has adverse effects on male reproductive system. That testicular atrophy, reducing epididymal sperm counts, and mouse fetal defects are found in experimental studies on mice, rats and dogs and these effects are thought to be concerned with the abnormalities of endocrine system. Now there is no exact proof whether the adverse effect on productive system is concerned with estrogen-like effects. This study will evaluate the estrogen-like effect of boron with proliferation assay of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, uterotrophic assay in ovariectomized SD rats, proliferation assay in mucous membrane and assay of estrogen receptor. The aim is to evaluate the estrogen-like effects of boron comprehensively and provide experimental proofs to study the mechanisms of reproductive and developmental toxicity of boron further. |
