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The Impact of Endocrine Disrupting Substances on Human Reproduction

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Book cover Endocrine Disrupters

Part of the book series: Environmental Science and Technology Library ((ENST,volume 18))

Summary

Certain effects on human reproductive health have been observed in the last few decades. Several studies from Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Greece suggest a decline in semen quality. Concomitantly, incidence of testicular cancer, hypospadias and cryptorchidism appear to be increasing. There is evidence suggesting that some man-made chemicals are functioning as hormones and acting on living organisms exposed to them by mimicking or inhibiting the action of endogenous steroid hormones including oestrogens.

The major and persistent metabolite of DDT, P,p’-DDE, which has also been detected in human breast milk, has been found to act as an anti-androgen. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzop-dioxin (TCDD) is known to reduce fecundity in rats and is also known to disturb steroid secretion and to induce apoptosis of human granulosa cells.

Recent data on human-assisted reproduction methods have shown that paternal exposure to pesticides decreases the fertilising ability of spermatozoa in vitro. Since relatively few of the thousands of man-made chemicals have been tested for oestrogenic or other endocrine action, it is highly possible that other oestrogenic chemicals remain unidentified. This is a matter of major concern.

In conclusion, there is strong evidence indicating the adverse effects of endocrine disrupting substances on male reproduction, while there is little data on the impairment of female reproduction. Further study and research has to be carried out in order to generate more scientific data, which will enhance understanding of the effects of endocrine disrupting substances (EDSs) on human reproductive health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Assisted Reproduction, IVF and Genetics, Kifissias 296 and Navarinou 40, 15232, Chalandri, — Athens, Greece

    S. I. Nikolaropoulos

  2. Medical School, Department of Pathology, National and Capodistrian University of Athens, 75, Mikras Asias, Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece

    P. Nicolopoulou-Stamati & M. A. Pitsos

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  1. S. I. Nikolaropoulos
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  2. P. Nicolopoulou-Stamati
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  3. M. A. Pitsos
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical School, Department of Pathology, National and Capodistrian University of Athens, 75, Mikras Asias, Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece

    Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati (ASPIS Project Co-ordinator) (ASPIS Project Co-ordinator)

  2. Human Ecology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090, Brussel, Belgium

    Luc Hens

  3. Fetal and Infant Toxico-Pathology, University of Liverpool, Mulberry Street, L69 7ZA, Liverpool, UK

    C. V. Howard

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© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Nikolaropoulos, S.I., Nicolopoulou-Stamati, P., Pitsos, M.A. (2001). The Impact of Endocrine Disrupting Substances on Human Reproduction. In: Nicolopoulou-Stamati, P., Hens, L., Howard, C.V. (eds) Endocrine Disrupters. Environmental Science and Technology Library, vol 18. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9769-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9769-2_3

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