[The effect of the dioxin-containing herbicide 2,4-D on the hormonal status of experimental animals].

The article presents studies of hormonal state in rats under daily or 20-day peroral administration of variable doses of 2,4-D herbicide containing dioxine. Changed levels of thyroid hormones, insulin, cortisol, testosterone and estradiol appeared to be divergent and dose-dependent, proving direct toxic effects of the herbicide in endocrine organs, altered hormonal effects in target organs and disorders of peripheral hormonal metabolism.