International audience | The study was prompted to characterize the B-type esterase activities in the terrestrial snail <em>Xeropicta derbentina</em> and to evaluate its sensitivity to organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides. Specific cholinesterase and carboxylesterase activities were mainly obtained with acetylthiocholine (Km =77.2 mM; Vmax= 38.2 mU/mg protein) and 1-naphthyl acetate (Km= 222 mM, Vmax= 1095 mU/mg protein) substrates, respectively. Acetylcholinesterase activity was concentration-dependently inhibited by chlorpyrifos-oxon, dichlorvos, carbaryl and carbofuran (IC50 =1.35 x 105–3.80 x 108 M). The organophosphate-inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity was reactivated in the presence of pyridine-2- aldoxime methochloride. Carboxylesterase activity was inhibited by organophosphorus insecticides (IC50 =1.20 x 105–2.98 x 108 M) but not by carbamates. B-esterase-specific differences in the inhibition by organophosphates and carbamates are discussed with respect to the buffering capacity of the carboxylesterase to reduce pesticide toxicity. These results suggest that B-type esterases in<em> X. derbentina</em> are suitable biomarkers of pesticide exposure and that this snail could be used as sentinel species in field monitoring of Mediterranean climate regions

Recent clinical or epidemiological studies are reporting alarming results on the effects of certain groups of chemicals on the female reproductive system. These endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) influence the normal activities of hormones secreted from the female hypothalamus, ovary, pituitary & uterus. The female reproductive disorders are mainly observed at embryonic or during fetal development and subsequently get matured during puberty. Various toxic chemicals and other pollutants interact with the chemical structure of the hormones and hence prolonged effects are seen at the cellular and molecular level of hormones resulting in disruption of secretion and function. Due to poor coordination of hormones and other reproductive organs of the body vital functions are compromised. Hence it’s highly significant to study and explore the toxicity of chemicals that play a key role in the malfunctioning of the female reproductive system. In this review, we are concerned about the influence of EDCs and their significance in public health. Furthermore, we illustrated the discussion on the increasing effects of EDCs in various parts such as clinical, animal models, or epidemiological studies to develop awareness among the people.