Adverse effects on the endocrine organs are often due to
exaggerated responses that can be predicted from knowledge of the pharmacological
action(s) of the compound, which has been administered at therapeutic dosages or above.
Compounds such as oral contraceptives which are similar to endogenous hormones may
mimic a hormone’s physiological effects, or structurally similar compounds may block
the receptor sites. Endocrine toxins can be broadly categorized as those which exert a
direct effect on the hormone-receptor mechanism or those which act via an indirect
action