This chapter describes the metabolism of PAHs to oxidized and conjugated
metabolites by both fish and invertebrates. So far, a wide range of metabolites have
been described and a number of studies have alerted for the potential of phenol and
quinone derivatives, as well as other reactive intermediates, to exert toxicity in early
life stages of fish and reproductive disorders in adults. The endocrine disruptive
properties have been mainly related to action at the receptor level, due to structural
similarities of PAH and their metabolites with natural hormones, and also to interaction
with key steroidogenic enzymes, which are present in vertebrate and invertebrate
groups. The fast development of new analytical techniques, based on the use of high
resolution mass spectrometry, will lead in the near future to the detection of a wider
range of oxidized PAHs in abiotic matrices (i.e. water, sediment) and hopefully in
biota, bringing along new research challenges.
Keywords: Analysis, Endocrine alteration, Metabolism, Oxidized PAHs.
