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Vitellogenin (VTG), a biomarker for endocrine activity, is a mechanistic component of the regulatory assessment of potential endocrine-disrupting properties of chemicals. This review of VTG data is based on changes reported for 106 substances in standard fish species. High intra-study and inter-laboratory variability in VTG concentrations was confirmed, as well as discrepancies in interpretation of results based on large differences between fish in the dilution water versus solvent control, or due to the presence of outlier measurements. VTG responses in fish were ranked against predictions for estrogen receptor agonist activity and aromatase inhibition from bioactivity model output and ToxCast in vitro assay results, respectively. These endocrine mechanisms explained most of the VTG responses in the absence of systemic toxicity, the magnitude of the VTG response being proportional to the in vitro potency. Interpretation of the VTG data was sometimes confounded by an alternative endocrine mechanism of action. There was evidence for both false positive and negative responses for VTG synthesis, but overall, it was rare for substances without endocrine activity in vitro to cause a concentration-dependent VTG response in fish in the absence of systemic toxicity. To increase confidence in the VTG results, we recommend improvements in the VTG measurement methodologies and greater transparency in reporting of VTG data (including quality control criteria for assay performance). This review supports the application of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) by demonstrating that endocrine activity in vitro from mammalian cell lines is predictive for in vivo VTG response in fish, suggesting that in vitro mechanistic data could be used more broadly in decision-making to help reduce animal testing. [Display omitted] • Vitellogenin (VTG) concentrations in unexposed fish show high intra-study and inter-laboratory variability. • VTG responses in fish are mainly due to estrogen receptor agonist activity or aromatase inhibition. • VTG responses did not always detect endocrine activity (false positive and negative cases). • It is rare for substances without endocrine activity in vitro to cause a concentration-dependent VTG response in fish. • Confidence in the VTG result can be improved by greater consistency in methodology and reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Revised information requirements for endocrine disruptor (ED) assessment of chemicals under the European Union's Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation have been proposed. Implementation will substantially increase demands for new data to inform ED assessment. This article evaluates the potential animal use and financial resource associated with two proposed ED policy options, and highlights areas where further clarification is warranted. This evaluation demonstrates that studies potentially conducted to meet the proposed requirements could use tens of millions of animals, and that the approach is unlikely to be feasible in practice. Given the challenges with implementing either policy option and the need to minimise the reliance on animal testing, further consideration and clarification is needed on several aspects prior to implementation of the requirements. This includes how testing will be prioritised in a proportionate approach; how to harness new approach methodologies to waive higher-tier animal testing; and need for provision of clear guidance particularly in applying weight-of-evidence approaches. There is now a clear opportunity for the European Commission to lead the way in developing a robust and transparent ED assessment process for industrial chemicals which fully implements replacement, refinement, and reduction of the use of animals (the 3Rs). • New endocrine disruptor assessment data requirements have been proposed for EU REACH. • This analysis estimates the potential animal use and resource needed to meet these. • The required studies could use millions of animals and be unachievable in practice. • Further consideration/clarification is needed on many aspects before implementation. • Opportunities exist for robust ED assessments that fully implement the 3Rs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Weight-of-evidence (WoE) evaluation should be applied in assessing all the available data for the identification of endocrine disrupting (ED) properties of chemicals. The European Commission draft acts specifying criteria under the biocidal products and plant protection products regulations require that WoE is implemented for the assessment of such products. However, only some general considerations and principles of how a WoE should be conducted are provided. This paper reviews WoE approaches to distil key recommendations specifically for the evaluation of potential ED properties of chemicals. In a manner, which is consistent with existing, published WoE frameworks, the WoE evaluation of ED properties can be divided into four phases: 1) Definition of causal questions and data gathering and selection, 2) Review of individual studies, 3) Data integration and evaluation, and 4) Drawing conclusions based on inferences. Recommendations are made on how to conduct each phase robustly and transparently to help guide the WoE evaluation of potential endocrine disrupting properties of chemicals within a European regulatory context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The European regulation on plant protection products (1107/2009) (), the revisions to the biocides Directive (COM[2009]267) (), and the regulation concerning chemicals (Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 ‘REACH’) (EC.2006) only support the marketing and use of chemical products on the basis that they do not induce endocrine disruption in humans or wildlife species. In the absence of agreed guidance on how to identify and evaluate endocrine activity and disruption within these pieces of legislation a European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) task force was formed to provide scientific criteria that may be used within the context of these three legislative documents. The resulting ECETOC technical report () and the associated workshop () presented a science-based concept on how to identify endocrine activity and disrupting properties of chemicals for both human health and the environment. The synthesis of the technical report and the workshop report was published by the ECETOC task force (). Specific scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine activity and disrupting properties that integrate information from both regulatory (eco)toxicity studies and mechanistic/screening studies were proposed. These criteria combined the nature of the adverse effects detected in studies which give concern for endocrine toxicity with an understanding of the mode of action of toxicity so that adverse effects can be explained scientifically. A key element in the data evaluation is the consideration of all available information in a weight-of-evidence approach. However, to be able to discriminate chemicals with endocrine properties of low concern from those of higher concern (for regulatory purposes), the task force recognised that the concept needed further refinement. Following a discussion of the key factors at a second workshop of invited regulatory, academic and industry scientists (), the task force developed further guidance, which is presented in this paper. For human health assessments these factors include the relevance to humans of the endocrine mechanism of toxicity, the specificity of the endocrine effects with respect to other potential toxic effects, the potency of the chemical to induce endocrine toxicity and consideration of exposure levels. For ecotoxicological assessments the key considerations include specificity and potency, but also extend to the consideration of population relevance and negligible exposure. It is intended that these complement and reinforce the approach originally described and previously published in this journal (). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The European legislation on plant protection products (Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009) and biocides (Directive 98/8/EC), as well as the regulation concerning chemicals (Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 ‘REACH’) only support the marketing and use of chemical products on the basis that they do not induce endocrine disruption in humans or non-target species. However, there is currently no agreed guidance on how to identify and evaluate endocrine activity and disruption. Consequently, an ECETOC task force was formed to provide scientific criteria that may be used within the context of these three legislative documents. Specific scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine disrupting properties that integrate information from both regulatory (eco)toxicity studies and mechanistic/screening studies are proposed. These criteria combine the nature of the adverse effects detected in studies which give concern for endocrine toxicity with an understanding of the mode of action of toxicity so that adverse effects can be explained scientifically. The criteria developed are presented in the form of flow charts for assessing relevant effects for both humans and wildlife species. In addition, since not all chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties are of equal hazard, assessment of potency is also proposed to discriminate chemicals of high concern from those of lower concern. The guidance presented in this paper includes refinements made to an initial proposal following discussion of the criteria at a workshop of invited regulatory, academic and industry scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]