scholarly journals Estrogenic and anti-androgenic endocrine disrupting chemicals and their impact on the male reproductive system

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria De Falco ◽  
Maurizio Forte ◽  
Vincenza Laforgia
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals—Mechanisms of action on male reproductive system

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 601-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona Sidorkiewicz ◽  
Kamil Zaręba ◽  
Sławomir Wołczyński ◽  
Jan Czerniecki
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Male Reproductive Function ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Exogenous Compounds

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that can cause disturbances in the endocrine system and have multiple harmful effects on health by targeting different organs and systems in the human body. Mass industrial production and widespread use of EDCs have resulted in worldwide contamination. Accumulating evidence suggest that human exposure to EDCs is related to the impairment of male reproductive function and can interrupt other hormonally regulated metabolic processes, particularly if exposure occurs during early development. Investigation of studies absent in previous reviews and meta-analysis of adverse effects of EDCs on functioning of the male reproductive system is the core of this work. Four main modes of action of EDCs on male fertility have been summarized in this review. First, studies describing estrogen- pathway disturbing chemicals are investigated. Second, androgen-signaling pathway alterations and influence on androgen sensitive tissues are examined. Third, evaluation of steroidogenesis dysfunction is discussed by focusing on the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway, which is targeted by EDCs. Last, the reportedly destructive role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on sperm function is discussed. Spermatogenesis is a remarkably complex process, hence multiple studies point out various dysfunctions depending on the development state at which the exposure occurred. Collected data show the need to account for critical windows of exposure such as fetal, perinatal and pubertal periods as well as effects of mixtures of several compounds in future research.

Xenobiotics with estrogen or antiandrogen action — disruptors of the male reproductive system

Open Medicine ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanta Słowikowska-Hilczer
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Life Style ◽  
Gonadal Dysgenesis ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Androgenic Activity ◽  
Life Style Changes ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Fertility Potential

AbstractThe environmental and life-style changes associated with developing industry and agriculture, especially the exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (xenobiotics), are considered as causes of the increasing incidence of male reproductive system disorders. Most of the xenobiotics, which harmfully influence the male reproductive system, reveal estrogen-like (xenoestrogens) or anti-androgenic activity. Recent data have revealed physiological roles of estrogens in the male, however, there are evidences that estrogen-like substances may lead to many undesirable symptoms in the male i.e. gonadal dysgenesis, genital malformations, cryptorchidism, decreased fertility potential and testicular neoplastic changes. The number of xenoestrogens is still growing in the environment, whereas the mechanisms of their action are still not exactly known. They can be harmful not only to the present but potentially also to the next generations.

scholarly journals Endocrine disruption of oestrogen action and female reproductive tract cancers

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. T13-T31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas A Gibson ◽  
Philippa T K Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Early Life Exposure ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Robust Evidence

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) are ubiquitous and persistent compounds that have the capacity to interfere with normal endocrine homoeostasis. The female reproductive tract is exquisitely sensitive to the action of sex steroids, and oestrogens play a key role in normal reproductive function. Malignancies of the female reproductive tract are the fourth most common cancer in women, with endometrial cancer accounting for most cases. Established risk factors for development of endometrial cancer include high BMI and exposure to oestrogens or synthetic compounds such as tamoxifen. Studies on cell and animal models have provided evidence that many EDC can bind oestrogen receptors and highlighted early life exposure as a window of risk for adverse lifelong effects on the reproductive system. The most robust evidence for a link between early life exposure to EDC and adverse reproductive health has come from studies on women who were exposedin uteroto diethylstilbestrol. Demonstration that EDC can alter expression of members of the HOX gene cluster highlights one pathway that might be vulnerable to their actions. In summary, evidence for a direct link between EDC exposure and cancers of the reproductive system is currently incomplete. It will be challenging to attribute causality to any single EDC when exposure and development of malignancy may be separated by many years and influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet (a source of phytoestrogens) and adiposity. This review considers some of the evidence collected to date.

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