The Physiological Aspects of Endocrine Disrutors in Reproduction: A Review

Abstract

Endocrine disruptors are environmental compounds that affect the normal hormones synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action or elimination. There interference occurs at certain doses of the chemicals and can cause birth anomalies, as well as sexual developmental problems in both males and females. These hormones play significant role in reproduction. Endocrine disruptors are chemical substances which interfere with the natural hormones in the body and thus affect the maintenance of normal cell metabolism. They are also called hormonally active agents, endocrine disrupting chemicals or endocrine disrupting compounds. Biologically, these effects cause obesity, diabetes, reproductive problems as well as hormone sensitive cancers in both male and female. This is because of the release of great quantity of chemical, following the expansion of the industrial revolution which in turn leads to the alteration in the balance of endocrine and reproductive system. Studies in recent times has shown decline in female fecundity and sperm count. Furthermore, in the United States, the average age at menarche, thalarche and sexual development among minors, has speedily progressed, hence the need to identify their place in reproduction and put in control measures to prevent its attendance complications.