**5. Conclusions**

**4. Diagram/schematic figure**

92 Endocrine Disruptors

report by Tamura et al. (2003) [37].

In the respect of chemical structure, benomyl and carbendazim shared the same C and D ring structure with the natural ligand, dihydrotestosterone (**Figure 1**). We made a schematic labeling of the benomyl, carbendazim mimicking the main ligand interaction features of the natural ligand, dihydrotestosterone, with the androgen receptor referred to the previous

**Figure 1.** Schematic labeling of the benomyl, carbendazim mimic the main ligand interaction features of the natural

ligand, dihydrotestosterone, with the androgen receptor.

Based on the previous study firstly it proved that reproductive toxicity produced by carbendazim is relieved by an androgen receptor antagonist in male rats and developmental toxicity of the pesticide showed androgenic properties in female offspring. We concluded that androgen- and androgen receptor-dependent mechanisms are quite possibly complicated in carbendazim-produced toxicity. Secondly findings show that carbendazim exposure *in utero* displays a transient and weak androgenic effect and reduces flutamide antiandrogenicity in male rats. Thirdly we concluded that antagonistic effect of flutamide was on the carbendazimandrogenic effect on mRNA and protein levels. The results would help us to illustrate the mechanism of carbendazim- and chemical-induced developmental toxicity and endocrinedisrupting activity. Fourthly benomyl and carbendazim exhibit an androgenic effect, leading to increased weight of ventral prostate and seminal vesicles and uterine fluid retention in young adult rats.
