scholarly journals The Evaluation of Evidence Bisphenol A Exposure and Human Reproductive Health: A review

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-17
Author(s):  
Tomas Jambor ◽  
Eva Kovacikova

Infertility is widespread problem defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. One of the most notable factors causing this status is the exposure to environmental contaminants. It is now recognized that many contaminants present in the environment have the ability to interfere in the action of hormones and therefore are termed endocrine disruptors (EDs). Some of these compounds are present in nature, but the majority are artificial and released into the environment by the human activities without any prior knowledge of their impact on ecosystems, animal welfare, or wildlife and human health. Many epidemiological studies have reported a radical growth in the incidence of male infertility, accompanied by decreasing sperm quality, decline in spermatozoa motility, defect in Leydig cell morphology, insufficient activity of steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. The similar situation was observed in female, when the increased risk for endometriosis, reproductive and other endocrine-related cancer, impaired oocytes, ovarian dysfunction, or irregular menstrual cycle was confirmed. All mentioned consequences have been associated with increasing concentration of bisphenol A (BPA) in the environment. Humans are exposed to BPA not only through specific occupational circumstance, but nowadays more generally also from the ordinary day-to-day domestic and workplace lifestyles. Almost 3.4 million tons per year of BPA is used in a variety common product such as food packaging, household products, epoxy resins, dental sealants and many others. Under these endpoints, apprehensions about the reproductive dysfunctions associated with BPA action are unquestionable. In this review, we address the topic of BPA effects on reproductive function in males and females and emphasize its effects on overall health. A considerably more detailed and systematic research in EDs toxicology is required for a better understanding of risks associated with exposure to environmental toxicants.

Endocrinology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 156 (7) ◽  
pp. 2563-2570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph R. Kurian ◽  
Kim L. Keen ◽  
Brian P. Kenealy ◽  
James P. Garcia ◽  
Curtis J. Hedman ◽  
...  

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial compound with pervasive distribution in the environments of industrialized countries. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recently found that greater than 90% of Americans carry detectable levels of BPA, raising concern over the direct influences of this compound on human physiology. Epidemiologic evidence links elevated BPA serum concentrations to human reproductive dysfunction, although controlled studies on the acute effect of BPA exposure on reproductive function are limited, particularly in primates. We evaluated the effect of direct BPA exposure on female primate hypothalamic peptide release. Specifically, using a microdialysis method, we examined the effects of BPA (0.1, 1, and 10nM) directly infused to the stalk-median eminence on the release of GnRH and kisspeptin (KP) in mid to late pubertal ovarian intact female rhesus monkeys. We found that the highest level of BPA exposure (10nM) suppressed both GnRH and KP release, whereas BPA at lower concentrations (0.1 and 1nM) had no apparent effects. In addition, we measured BPA in plasma and hypothalamic dialysates after an iv bolus injection of BPA (100 μg/kg). We found a relatively stable distribution of BPA between the blood and brain (plasma:brain ≅ 5:1) persists across a wide range of blood BPA concentrations (1–620 ng/mL). Findings of this study suggest that persistent, high-level exposures to BPA could impair female reproductive function by directly influencing hypothalamic neuroendocrine function.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Pallotti ◽  
Marianna Pelloni ◽  
Daniele Gianfrilli ◽  
Andrea Lenzi ◽  
Francesco Lombardo ◽  
...  

Great attention has been paid in recent years to the harmful effects of various chemicals that interfere with our natural hormone balance, collectively known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) or endocrine disruptors. The effects on the reproductive system of bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates have received particular attention: while they have a short half-life, they are so widespread that human exposure can be considered as continuous. Evidence is often limited to the animal model, disregarding the likelihood of human exposure to a mixture of contaminants. Data from animal models show that maternal exposure probably has harmful effects on the male fetus, with an increased risk of urogenital developmental abnormalities. After birth, exposure is associated with changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, hindering the development and function of the male genital pathways through the mediation of inflammatory mechanisms and oxidative stress. The epidemiological and clinical evidence, while generally confirming the association between reproductive abnormalities and some phthalate esters and BPA, is more contradictory, with wildly different findings. The aim of this review is therefore to provide an update of the potential mechanisms of the damage caused by BPA and phthalates to reproductive function and a review of the clinical evidence currently available in the literature.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
U.A. Eze ◽  
M.N. Routledge ◽  
F.E. Okonofua ◽  
J. Huntriss ◽  
Y.Y. Gong

It is well established that mycotoxin exposure can have adverse effects on reproductive health resulting to poor reproductive potential. The most studied mycotoxin in relation to poor reproductive health in humans is aflatoxin, although fumonisins, trichothecenes and zearalenone have also been reported to impair reproductive function and cause abnormal foetal development. These potent fungal toxins contaminate many food products making them a prominent agricultural, food safety and public health challenge, especially in Africa due to little or lack of mycotoxin regulation in agricultural products. Neonates can be exposed to aflatoxins in utero, as the toxins pass from mother to the foetus through the placenta. This exposure may continue during breast feeding, to the introduction of weaning foods, and then foods taken by adults. The consequences of aflatoxin exposure in mothers, foetus and children are many, including anaemia in pregnancy, low birth weight, interference with nutrient absorption, suppression of immune function, child growth retardation and abnormal liver function. In males, reports have indicated a possible relationship between aflatoxin exposure and poor sperm quality culminating in infertility. Maternal exposure to fumonisin during early pregnancy has been associated with increased risk of neural tube defects among newborns in regions where maize is the common dietary staple with the possibility of chronic fumonisin exposure. Furthermore, zearalenone has been linked to precocious puberty and premature thelarche in girls, correlating with extremely high serum oestrogen levels. This review presents an overview of the several reports linking aflatoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, and zearalenone exposure to poor reproductive health outcomes in Africa, with emphasis on birth outcomes, foetal health and infertility.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenchao Zhang ◽  
Yuhua Li ◽  
Haoran Lu ◽  
Dongxian Li ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is an extracellular flagellated protozoan parasitizing the human genital and urinary tracts. T. vaginalis infection impacts human reproductive function, but whether it causes infertility is still a matter of debate.Methods: In this work, we consulted 237 relevant articles, which were classified into three categories: epidemiological investigations (104), review articles (40), and research articles (62). RevMan 5.4 was used to conduct a meta-analysis of the articles reporting epidemiological investigations comparing the incidence of T. vaginalis infection between infertile and fertile groups.Results: The results indicated that rate of T. vaginalis infection in the infertile group was lower than that in the fertile group. However, an epidemiological survey showed that the infertility rate of population infected with T. vaginalis was significantly higher than that of population without T. vaginalis infection. Most review articles stated that T. vaginalis infection causes infertility, while a small fraction of these articles were inconclusive. The conclusion that T. vaginalis infection can lead to infertility is supported by the research articles, which indicated the main pathogenic mechanisms are as follows: T. vaginalis impairs sperm quality, resulting in infertility; the immune response triggered by T. vaginalis infection impacts human reproductive function; and T. vaginalis impairs ovum quality, resulting in infertility.Conclusion: Our study confirmed that T. vaginalis infection can lead to infertility and provides a foundation for further investigations into its pathogenesis.


Crisis ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie De Munck ◽  
Gwendolyn Portzky ◽  
Kees Van Heeringen

Background: Notwithstanding the epidemiological studies indicating an increased risk of attempted suicide among adolescents and young adults, there is a scarcity of international studies that examine long-term epidemiological trends in rates and characteristics of this vulnerable group. Aims: This article describes the results of a 9-year monitoring study of suicide attempts in adolescents and young adults referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Gent University Hospital (Belgium). Methods: Between January 1996 and December 2004, trends, sociodemographic, and methodrelated characteristics of suicide attempts were assessed by a psychiatrist on data sheets. Results: Attempted suicide rates declined from 1996 to 2001 and then rose until 2004, but did not exceed previous rates. During the 9 years of monitoring, there was a preponderance of female suicide attempters, except for 1997. Rates of attempts and of fatal suicide were negatively correlated. Significantly more males than females deliberately injured themselves. Younger attempters, especially females, significantly more often poisoned themselves with analgesics. In nearly one in five attempts, alcohol was used in combination with other methods, and alcohol intake was more commonly observed in older suicide attempters. Nearly half of the adolescents were identified as repeaters. Conclusions: The results of this study warrant further monitoring of trends and characteristics of young suicide attempters.


2016 ◽  
pp. 98-101
Author(s):  
Vl.V. Podolsky ◽  
◽  
V.V. Podolsky ◽  

The objective: the developing of a system of preventive measures and principles of pregravid preparation for women with somatoform disorders and violation of autonomic homeostasis (VAH), in which observed changes in reproductive health (CRH) in the shape of states after undergoing artificial abortion, infertility and uterine fibroids. Patients and methods. Conducted clinical and epidemiological studies in the population of women of fertile age (WFA) allowed identifying for further examination of women with CRH in the form of state after undergoing artificial abortion, infertility and uterine fibroids in women with VAH. Further women were examined, in particular the conducted clinical and instrumental methods of research; determined the state of autonomic homeostasis and psycho emotional health of the biotopes of the organism, immunity; analyzed the hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle; performed genetic studies and determined the morphofunctional state of reproductive system. Results. The most frequent complications during pregnancy in women who had CRH in history in the form of abortions, infertility and uterine fibroids and in the background of the PAF, there was a threat of interruption of pregnancy (often in I and II trimester – 56%) and preterm delivery (21%). The study of the catamnesis of further reproductive health found that in the case of well-conducted therapeutic measures in women undergoing artificial abortion, had infertility and uterine leiomyoma in the background of VAH, restore reproductive function, and in 82% of cases occurred a pregnancy. Conclusion. The the provided study of reproductive health, and state of various organs and systems of fertile aged women with somatoform disorders and violations of the autonomic homeostasis allowed to develop preventive measures for these women and pregravid preparation with the inclusion to the therapy Magnesium and vitamins (Magne-В6®). Key words: somatoform disorders, violation of autonomic homeostasis, changes in reproductive health, prevention and treatment, women of fertile age, Magne-В6®.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Motamedifar ◽  
Yalda Malekzadegan ◽  
Parisa Namdari ◽  
Behzad Dehghani ◽  
Bahia Namavar Jahromi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Infertility considered as a social and public health issue and estimated that most of these infertile couples are residents of developing countries. Infectious diseases including the history of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) may impact on male reproductive function. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of bacterial contaminants of semen and probable association with sperm quality of infertile men in Iranian population. Methods: The study population consisted of 200 infertile men and 150 fertile men attending an infertility Center in southwestern Iran during the study period in 2015. The assessment of sperm parameters was according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The presumptive pathogens were identified using standard microbiology tests and confirmed by specific PCR primers. Results: The prevalence of bacteriospermia in the semen of the infertile group was significantly higher than that in the fertile group (48% vs. 26.7%, P <0.001). The microbiological analysis of samples showed that the most abundant species of bacteria in semen of infertile men were Chlamydia trachomatis (12.5%) followed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (11%). On the other hand, in the control group, Lactobacillus spp. (17.3%) was the most isolated pathogen. Results showed that the presence of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Haemophilus, and Klebsiella was significantly associated with sperm abnormality. Conclusion: Based on our findings, it seems that bacteriospermia is associated with alterations in the properties of semen which may lead to a decrease in the fertilization potential of sperm. Therefore, immediate and appropriate treatment is necessary before investigating every other possible cause of infertility.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luís Crisóstomo ◽  
Ivana Jarak ◽  
Luís P. Rato ◽  
João F. Raposo ◽  
Rachel L. Batterham ◽  
...  

AbstractThe consumption of energy-dense diets has contributed to an increase in the prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities worldwide. The adoption of unhealthy feeding habits often occurs at early age, prompting the early onset of metabolic disease with unknown consequences for reproductive function later in life. Recently, evidence has emerged regarding the intergenerational and transgenerational effects of high-fat diets (HFD) on sperm parameters and testicular metabolism. Hereby, we study the impact of high-fat feeding male mice (F0) on the testicular metabolome and function of their sons (F1) and grandsons (F2). Testicular content of metabolites related to insulin resistance, cell membrane remodeling, nutritional support and antioxidative stress (leucine, acetate, glycine, glutamine, inosine) were altered in sons and grandsons of mice fed with HFD, comparing to descendants of chow-fed mice. Sperm counts were lower in the grandsons of mice fed with HFD, even if transient. Sperm quality was correlated to testicular metabolite content in all generations. Principal Component Analysis of sperm parameters and testicular metabolites revealed an HFD-related phenotype, especially in the diet-challenged generation and their grandsons. Ancestral HFD, even if transient, causes transgenerational “inherited metabolic memory” in the testicular tissue, characterized by changes in testicular metabolome and function.


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