Impact of Environmental Endocrine Disruption on the Reproductive System for Human Health

Abstract

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are environmental chemicals that interfere with physiological systems, adversely affecting hormone balance (endocrine system), or disrupting normal function in the organs which hormones regulate or modulate, i.e., the female and male reproductive systems. Although endocrine disruption is a global concern for human health, its impact and significance and the screening strategy for detecting these synthetic or man-made chemicals are not well described in female and male reproductive functions. Thus, this review summarizes the interference of environmental EDs on reproductive development and function, and introduces biomarkers and screening methods for EDs in in vitro and in vivo models, in particular, female reproductive system. These methods include studying of the uterine expression of Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k), a cytosolic calcium binding protein regulated by estrogenic or progestogenic compounds. In addition, this review highlights the effect of exposure to multiple EDs on reproductive functions, and brings attention to major sources of exposure. Keywords: Endocrine disruption, steroids, estrogenic chemicals, uterus, ovary