Exposure to endocrine disruptors during adulthood: consequences for female fertility.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are ubiquitous chemicals that exhibit endocrine disrupting properties in both humans and animals. Female reproduction is an important process, which is regulated by hormones and is susceptible to the effects of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Disruptions in female reproductive functions by endocrine disrupting chemicals may result in subfertility, infertility, improper hormone production, estrous and menstrual cycle abnormalities, anovulation, and early reproductive senescence. This review summarizes the effects of a variety of synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals on fertility during adult life. The chemicals covered in this review are pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, and triazines), heavy metals (arsenic, lead, and mercury), diethylstilbesterol, plasticizer alternatives (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and bisphenol A alternatives), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, nonylphenol, polychlorinated biphenyls, triclosan, and parabens. This review focuses on the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, and uterus because together they regulate normal female fertility and the onset of reproductive senescence. The literature shows that several endocrine disrupting chemicals have endocrine disrupting abilities in females during adult life, causing fertility abnormalities in both humans and animals.

Rattan S ，Zhou C ，Chiang C ，Mahalingam S ，Brehm E ，Flaws JA ... -  《-》

Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and fertility: A case-control study in male subfertility patients.

Dioxins, PCBs, chlorinated pesticides, brominated flame retardants, bisphenol A, triclosan, perfluorinated compounds and phthalates are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The aim of our study was to investigate whether higher exposure to EDCs is associated with increased subfertility in men. We measured biomarkers of exposure in 163 men, recruited through four fertility clinics. According to WHO guidelines, we used a total motility count (TMC) of 20 million as cut-off value. We assigned patients to the case group when two semen samples - collected at least one week apart - had a TMC<20 and to the control group when both samples had a TMC≥20. To estimate the risk of subfertility and alteration in sex hormone concentrations we used multivariable-adjusted analysis, using logistic and linear regressions, respectively. For an IQR increase in serum oxychlordane, the odds ratio for subfertility was 1.98 (95% CI: 1.07; 3.69). Furthermore, men with serum levels of BDE209 above the quantification limit had an odds of 7.22 (1.03; 50.6) for subfertility compared with those having values below the LOQ. Urinary levels of phthalates and triclosan were negatively associated with inhibin B and positively with LH. Urinary bisphenol A correlated negatively with testosterone levels. Our study in men showed that internal body concentrations of endocrine disrupting chemicals are associated with an increased risk of subfertility together with alterations in hormone levels. The results emphasize the importance to reduce chemicals in the environment in order to safeguard male fertility.

Den Hond E ，Tournaye H ，De Sutter P ，Ombelet W ，Baeyens W ，Covaci A ，Cox B ，Nawrot TS ，Van Larebeke N ，D'Hooghe T ... -  《-》

Endocrine disrupting chemicals and reproductive disorders in women, men, and animal models.

This chapter covers the known effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on reproductive disorders. The EDCs represented are highly studied, including plasticizers (bisphenols and phthalates), chemicals in personal care products (parabens), persistent environmental contaminants (polychlorinated biphenyls), and chemicals in pesticides or herbicides. Both female and male reproductive disorders are reviewed in the chapter. Female disorders include infertility/subfertility, irregular reproductive cycles, early menopause, premature ovarian insufficiency, polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. Male disorders include infertility/subfertility, cryptorchidism, and hypospadias. Findings from both human and animal studies are represented.

Laws MJ ，Neff AM ，Brehm E ，Warner GR ，Flaws JA ... -  《-》

Exposure to modern, widespread environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals and their effect on the reproductive potential of women: an overview of current epidemiological evidence.

Karwacka A ，Zamkowska D ，Radwan M ，Jurewicz J ... -  《-》

Exposure to non-persistent chemicals in consumer products and fecundability: a systematic review.

Hipwell AE ，Kahn LG ，Factor-Litvak P ，Porucznik CA ，Siegel EL ，Fichorova RN ，Hamman RF ，Klein-Fedyshin M ，Harley KG ，program collaborators for Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes ... -  《-》