Endocrine disruption is an expanding field due to the numerous chemicals involved and, as evidenced more recently, the variety of homeostatic systems that they can alter throughout life. The gathering of experts from all over the world should help to identify health disorders that are possibly or likely related to exposure to endocrine disrupters. The research needs have been discussed as well as recommendations prioritizing target groups and following the precautionary principle.

Introduction.- Neuroendocrine effects of developmental PCB exposure, with particular reference to hypothalamic gene expression.- The kisspeptin system as putative target for endocrine disruption of puberty and reproductive health.- Effects of prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupters on cerebral cortex development.- Endocrine Disruption of the Thyroid and its Consequences in Development.- Neural progenitors are direct targets of xenoestrogens in zebrafish.- Exposure to environmental chemicals as a risk factor for diabetes development.- Contribution of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals to the Obesity Epidemic: Consequences of Developmental Exposure.- Fetal and adult exposure to bisphenol-a as a contributing factor in the etiology of the metabolic syndrome.- Bisphenol A in the gut: another break in the wall?.- Adverse trends of male reproductive health in two Nordic countries indicate environmental problems.- Origin of testicular dysgenesis syndrome disorders in the masculinisation programming window: relevance to final testis size (=sperm production).- Subject Index

Endocrine disruption is an expanding field due to the numerous chemicals involved and, as evidenced more recently, the variety of homeostatic systems that they can alter throughout life. Also, this field is at the edge of several disciplines with implications of both laboratory scientists and clinicians. This symposium aims at updating mechanisms and consequences of endocrine disruption in three perspectives: neural, metabolic and reproductive. The gathering of experts from all over the world should help the participants to identify health disorders that are possibly or likely related to exposure to endocrine disrupters. The research needs will be discussed as well as recommendations prioritizing target groups and following the precautionary principle.