Revue des Œnologues n° 168

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) constitute a heterogeneous group of chemical compounds, whether natural or not, that interfere with the endocrine system of living organisms. This "definition," which may seem like a tautology, actually reflects a reality that is more complex than simple and scientifically demonstrable - it is still the subject of debates. After several delays, a European definition was supposed to be published on May 30, 2017, but no agreement could be reached among the European Union countries. Generally, EDs are assimilated to pesticides, which is both too much and too little. While some pesticides do indeed have such properties, this is not the case for all pesticides, and this class includes compounds like bisphenol A (BPA)* and phthalates. The latter are rightly (see below) the very example of endocrine disruptors.

Where are endocrine disruptors found?
There are several types of substances that can act on the hormonal system: natural hormones produced in the body (estrogens, testosterone, thyroid hormones, insulin, etc.) - natural hormones produced by plants (phytoestrogens (estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects), isoflavones (soybeans) or resveratrol (grapes and wine)) - chemical substances produced for their hormonal effect (estrogen-progestin contraceptives) with a structure close to or identical to that of natural hormones - some chemical substances used in industry, agriculture, and consumer goods, or used as by-products, but whose effect on hormones is not intentional.

Origin of the concept and definition issue
The concept of endocrine disruptors emerged in 1991 with the Wingspread Call (Wisconsin, United States) under the impetus of Theo Colborn, a doctorate in zoology (1), who sought a cause for the physiological and/or behavioral disorders observed in many animals living near the Canadian-American Great Lakes: congenital malformations, inability to defend themselves against predators