The role of endocrine disruptors in female infertility

Abstract

Introduction According to the World Health Organization, infertility is a public health problem that affects around 48 million couples and 186 million individuals worldwide. Endocrine disruptors are one of the causes that raise more concern, given that it is a problem that has evolved with the progress of society. Many chemicals are used by food industry, entering food chain, and directly affecting human health. Endocrine disruptors have the capacity of interfering with the normal hormonal action, metabolism, and biosynthesis, which can lead to a variation of the normal hormonal homeostasis. Some of these endocrine disruptors are highly associated with diseases that are positively correlated with female infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, irregular menstrual cycle and also disturbances on processes as steroidogenesis and development of the ovarian follicles. Results The present literature review covers various aspects of the possible relationship between endocrine disruptors and female infertility. Bisphenol A and its metabolites, phthalates, dioxins, organochlorine, and organophosphate compounds are groups of chemicals considered to have the capacity to disrupt endocrine activity and herein addressed. The results reported in in vivo studies and in clinical trials addressing endocrine disruptors and female infertility were discussed as well as their possible mechanism of action. Conclusions Large, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials are needed to better understand the mechanisms of action of endocrine disruptors in female infertility, as well as the doses and frequency of exposure responsible for it.

Environmental Factors as the Main Hormonal Disruptors of Male Fertility

“…The harmful effect of some environmental factors may have an impact on male fertility throughout their whole life; however, most substances undergo biotransformation, except for highly polar compounds (e.g., phthalic acid) and volatile compounds (e.g., ethyl ether). Unmetabolized substances may bioaccumulate in the fatty tissue in the liver (e.g., organochlorine pesticides, dioxins), as well as in the kidneys, bones, and liver (some heavy metals) [17,18].…”

The influence of carbofuran insecticide exposure on the number of ovarian follicles in mice (Mus musculus)

“…Other insecticides, such as organophosphates, have been shown to cause ovarian degeneration, leading to increased follicular atresia due to hormonal imbalances. One such imbalance occurs in reproductive hormones LH and FSH [10]. Organophosphate insecticides have been reported to decrease ovarian weight, reduce the number of various ovarian follicles in rats, and increase follicular atresia [11].…”

Imprinting and Reproductive Health: A Toxicological Perspective

“…The reproductive system is highly sensitive to the influence of excessive estrogen. Hence, the wide variety of xenoestrogens or EDCs may affect reproductive systems in adult animals and even cause reduced viability and fertility outcomes for the offspring [7,8,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. The alterations that occur during critical stages of development are the result of long-term changes in the neuroendocrine system, referred to as 'imprinting' [23,24].…”