Reproductive Harm Research Articles

Known Benefits and Unknown Risks of Active Surveillance of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 2.

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN 2) is an equivocal diagnosis with high interobserver variation. Owing to high regression rates of 50%, many countries recommend active surveillance of CIN 2, especially in women younger than age 25-30 years, where regression rates are even higher (ie, 60%). Additionally, excisional treatment is associated with increased risk of reproductive harm, particularly preterm birth. Active surveillance typically consists of semi-annual follow-up visits for up to 2 years, including colposcopy and either cytology, testing for human papillomavirus, or both. Excisional treatment is recommended for progression or persistent disease after 2 years. Because active surveillance in younger women is relatively new, knowledge on subsequent risk of cervical cancer is limited. Considering human papillomavirus latency, women undergoing active surveillance might be at higher risk of cervical cancer than women undergoing excisional treatment. Furthermore, there are limited data describing preferences of women for the management of CIN 2, and it is also unclear how active surveillance may affect planning for future pregnancy. In this context, biomarkers for risk stratification of CIN 2 into either high or low probability of progression would allow for targeted treatment. Currently, immunohistochemical staining for p16 is used to clarify the histologic diagnosis, but whether it or other biomarkers can be used for risk-stratification in clinical management of women with CIN 2 remains unknown. In conclusion, active surveillance of CIN 2 needs further investigation, including understanding the long-term cervical cancer risk and evaluation of markers that may enable risk stratification of CIN 2.

Microplastic contaminants in the aqueous environment, fate, toxicity consequences, and remediation strategies

Microplastic is a fragmented plastic part that emerges as a potential marine and terrestrial contaminant. The microplastic wastes in marine and soil environments cause severe problems in living systems. Microplastic wastes have been linked to various health problems, including reproductive harm and obesity, plus issues such as organ problems and developmental delays in children. Recycling plastic/microplastics from the environment is very low, so remediating these polymers after their utilization is of paramount concern. The microplastic causes severe toxic effects and contaminates the environment. Microplastic affects marine life, microorganism in soil, soil enzymes, plants system, and physicochemical properties. Ecotoxicology of the microplastic raised many questions about its use and development from the environment. Various physicochemical and microbial technologies have been developed for their remediation from the environment. The microplastic effects are linked with its concentration, size, and shape in contaminated environments. Microplastic is able to sorb the inorganic and organic contaminants and affect their fate into the contaminated sites. Microbial technology is considered safer for the remediation of the microplastics via its unique metabolic machinery. Bioplastic is regarded as safer and eco-friendly as compared to plastics. The review article explored an in-depth understanding of the microplastic, its fate, toxicity to the environment, and robust remediation strategies.

Inhalation of two Prop 65-listed chemicals within vehicles may be associated with increased cancer risk

Chemicals are listed on California’s Proposition 65 (Prop 65) for their potential to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, and certain chemicals from this list are often detected within interior vehicle dust and air. Therefore, this study examined the potential risk associated with five Prop 65-listed chemicals detected within vehicle interiors: benzene, formaldehyde, di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCIPP). Exposure estimates based on time spent within a vehicle were derived from a meta-analysis of estimated concentrations from the literature. Regulatory levels established by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) were then used to generate percent reference doses (%RfDs) for chemical-specific daily doses as well as determine the probability of risk (exceedance probability) as a function of %RfD for each chemical-specific daily dose. Based on our meta-analysis, benzene and formaldehyde were detected in vehicle interior air whereas DEHP, DBP and TDCIPP were detected in vehicle interior dust. Benzene and formaldehyde were the only two chemicals with an estimated %RfD > 100 across any of the commute times. For commute times of 20 min or longer, the %RfD was > 100 for maximum exposures based on the “maximum allowable daily level” for benzene, and for 95th-percentile exposures based on the “no significant risk level” for benzene and formaldehyde. Furthermore, the probability of exceeding 100% RfD was highest for cancer risks associated with benzene, followed by cancer risks associated with formaldehyde and the risk of reproductive and developmental toxicity associated with benzene. Lastly, within the entire state of California, the percent of commuters with a 10% probability of exceeding cancer risk associated with benzene or formaldehyde exposure was 78% and 63%, respectively. Overall, our study raises concerns about the potential risk associated with inhalation of benzene and formaldehyde for people who spend a significant amount of time in their vehicles, an issue that is especially pertinent to traffic-congested areas where people have longer commutes.

Impact of environmental toxin exposure on male fertility potential.

Idiopathic infertility is the most common individual diagnosis in male infertility, representing nearly 44% of cases. Research studies dating over the last half-century consistently demonstrate a decline in male fertility that is incompletely explained by obesity, known genetic causes, or diet and lifestyle changes alone. Human exposures have changed dramatically over the same time course as this fertility decline. Synthetic chemicals surround us. Some are benevolent; however, many are known to cause disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and impair spermatogenesis. More than 80,000 chemicals are registered with the United States National Toxicology Program and nearly 2,000 new chemicals are introduced each year. Many of these are known toxins, such as phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines, and organophosphate esters, and have been banned or significantly restricted by other countries as they carry known carcinogenic effects and are reproductively toxic. In the United States, many of these chemicals are still permissible in exposure levels known to cause reproductive harm. This contrasts to other chemical regulatory legislature, such as the European Union’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations which are more comprehensive and restrictive. Quantification of these diverse exposures on an individual level has proven challenging, although forthcoming technologies may soon make this data available to consumers. Establishing causality and the proportion of idiopathic infertility attributable to environmental toxin exposures remains elusive, however, continued investigation, avoidance of exposure, and mitigation of risk is essential to our reproductive health. The aim of this review is to examine the literature linking changes in male fertility to some of the most common environmental exposures. Specifically, pesticides and herbicides such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dibromochloropropane (DBCP), organophosphates and atrazine, endocrine disrupting compounds including plastic compounds phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), heavy metals, natural gas/oil, non-ionizing radiation, air and noise pollution, lifestyle factors including diet, obesity, caffeine use, smoking, alcohol and drug use, as well as commonly prescribed medications will be discussed.

Diets containing crude glycerin modify the ovary histology, cause reproductive harm on Nile tilapia females and impair the offspring quality

The production of quality tilapia fingerlings is becoming a bottleneck in the production chain. To solve this problem, broodsotck nutrition has been evaluated in studies focused on the effects of new foods and potential diets. Crude glycerin, a biodiesel co-product, has great feed potential owing to its global supply prospects and high nutritional value. This study evaluated the effects of feeding Nile tilapia broodstock with rations containing different levels of crude glycerin. The subsequent growth; reproduction; plasma levels of calcium, glucose, and triglycerides; liver and ovary histology; the centesimal composition of different female organs/tissues; and offspring quality were evaluated. A total of 400 females and 200 males were fed for ten months with pelleted rations containing 320 g of digestible protein/kg, 13.40 MJ of digestible energy/kg, and 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 g of crude glycerin/kg. The tilapia underwent reproductive management in hapas for egg collection and incubation, and the offspring were raised for 30 days. Fish rations containing crude glycerin caused reproductive harm in females, decreasing the percentage of spawning females, amount of spawning, offspring survival to incubation, and protein content in the ovaries (p < 0.05). Fat deposition in the liver also increased (p < 0.05). Female growth, offspring growth, sex reversion success, and the plasma levels of glucose, calcium, and triglycerides were not influenced by the diet (p > 0.05). Fish rations containing glycerin changed the metabolism of lipids and proteins in the females and also possibly changed the rhythm or regulation of vitellogenesis. These changes directly impacted oocyte maturation and ovulation and affected reproductive success and offspring quality. Nile tilapia female fed with rations containing crude glycerin does not interfere with the growth and health of females or fingerlings but causes reproductive harm by decreasing egg production and hatching rates.

NOD1/NOD2 and RIP2 Regulate Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Inflammation during Chlamydia Infection.

The inflammatory response to Chlamydia infection is likely to be multifactorial and involve a variety of ligand-dependent and -independent recognition pathways. We previously reported the presence of NOD1/NOD2-dependent endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced inflammation during Chlamydia muridarum infection in vitro, but the relevance of this finding to an in vivo context is unclear. Here, we examined the ER stress response to in vivo Chlamydia infection. The induction of interleukin 6 (IL-6) production after systemic Chlamydia infection correlated with expression of ER stress response genes. Furthermore, when tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDCA) was used to inhibit the ER stress response, an increased bacterial burden was detected, suggesting that ER stress-driven inflammation can contribute to systemic bacterial clearance. Mice lacking both NOD1 and NOD2 or RIP2 exhibited slightly higher systemic bacterial burdens after infection with Chlamydia Overall, these data suggest a model where RIP2 and NOD1/NOD2 proteins link ER stress responses with the induction of Chlamydia-specific inflammatory responses.IMPORTANCE Understanding the initiation of the inflammatory response during Chlamydia infection is of public health importance given the impact of this disease on young women in the United States. Many young women are chronically infected with Chlamydia but are asymptomatic and therefore do not seek treatment, leaving them at risk of long-term reproductive harm due to inflammation in response to infection. Our manuscript explores the role of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathway initiated by an innate receptor in the development of this inflammation.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG ADOLESCENT AND ADULT WOMEN VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

Background: Sexual violence is a serious violation of human rights that mainly affects women. Among the impacts on health, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are important due to their high prevalence and possible reproductive harm. Objective: To check and compare the incidence of STIs in adolescent and adult women victims of sexual violence. Method: Retrospective cohort study with 135 adolescents (10-19 years) and 154 adult women (≥20 years) attending the Pérola Byington Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil, with vaginal and/or anal unprotected exposure during the sexual crime, with ingression between 72 hours and 10 days of the violence, who did not receive prophylaxis for STIs, hepatitis B or HIV. Cases with earlier STIs, pregnant women and violence from an intimate partner were excluded. The outcome was the occurrence of STIs in the two groups. Data were introduced in the program Epi Info6, version 6.04b, with statistical analysis by chi-square test. Results: The diagnosis of STIs occurred for 32.6% of adolescents and 31.1% of adult women. The median age was 21.0±5.8 years. Adolescents were more vulnerable to the related and known aggressors. Ninety-two patients with STIs (31.8%) were found along with 120 infections among the 289 women, distributed between HPV (16.9%), trichomoniasis (6.6%), chlamydia (3.8%), herpes (2.4%), hepatitis B (2.4%), syphilis (2.1%), gonorrhea (1.7%) pelvic inflammatory disease (1.7%), hepatitis C (1.4%), HIV (1.4%) and HTLV I and II (1.0%). Conclusion: The incidence and distribution of STIs show no differences in the two groups, suggesting similar risk for adolescent and adult women when submitted to the same forms of exposure during sexual crime.

Menstrual cups and cash transfer to reduce sexual and reproductive harm and school dropout in adolescent schoolgirls: study protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial in western Kenya

BackgroundAdolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa are disproportionally vulnerable to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) harms. In western Kenya, where unprotected transactional sex is common, young females face higher rates of school dropout, often due to pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Staying in school has shown to protect girls against early marriage, teen pregnancy, and HIV infection. This study evaluates the impact of menstrual cups and cash transfer interventions on a composite of deleterious outcomes (HIV, HSV-2, and school dropout) when given to secondary schoolgirls in western Kenya, with the aim to inform evidence-based policy to improve girls’ health, school equity, and life-chances.MethodsSingle site, 4-arm, cluster randomised controlled superiority trial. Secondary schools are the unit of randomisation, with schoolgirls as the unit of measurement. Schools will be randomised into one of four intervention arms using a 1:1:1:1 ratio and block randomisation: (1) menstrual cup arm; (2) cash transfer arm, (3) cups and cash combined intervention arm, or (4) control arm. National and county agreement, and school level consent will be obtained prior to recruitment of schools, with parent consent and girls’ assent obtained for participant enrolment. Participants will be trained on safe use of interventions, with all arms receiving puberty and hygiene education. Annually, the state of latrines, water availability, water treatment, handwashing units and soap in schools will be measured. The primary endpoint is a composite of incident HIV, HSV-2, and all-cause school dropout, after 3 years follow-up. School dropout will be monitored each term via school registers and confirmed through home visits. HIV and HSV-2 incident infections and risk factors will be measured at baseline, mid-line and end-line. Intention to treat analysis will be conducted among all enrolled participants. Focus group discussions will provide contextual information on uptake of interventions. Monitoring for safety will occur throughout.DiscussionIf proved safe and effective, the interventions offer a potential contribution toward girls’ schooling, health, and equity in low- and middle-income countries.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03051789, 15th February 2017.

New Amendments to California's Proposition 65: Warning Requirements Effective August 30, 2018

New Amendments to California's 65 regulations will impact clients that manufacture, package, import, supply, or distribute products that may end up being sold in California, where those products are subject to the warning requirements of 65. Over my years of practice, I have had multiple clients headquartered in Pennsylvania or regionally that manufacture, distribute, or sell products needing to comply with and so closely follow 65 developments. California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, a/k/a Proposition 65, Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 25249.5-25249.14, is a law passed in 1986 as a result of a voter referendum. It seeks to protect the State's drinking water sources from contamination by chemicals determined by the State to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm, and it requires businesses to inform consumers about exposures to such chemicals via contact with consumer products sold in California, or via occupational or environmental exposure. The and its implementing regulations require the State of California to update annually a list of chemicals that the State has determined to cause cancer or reproductive harm. The List currently contains some 900 chemicals.

Teratogenic effect on bone tissue development in Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain, induced by the presence of arsenic

En este estudio evaluamos los posibles efectos teratogénicos del arsénico (As) en las mismas concentraciones registradas en el agua de Zimapan, Hidalgo, usando especímenes de la cepa Wist de Rattus norvegicus, preñada. Se sometieron a concentraciones variables de arseniato de sodio (1887.9 mg/L, 943.9 mg/L y 0.5 mg/L), concentración, 0.5 mg/L corresponde al agua registrada de Zimapan, Hidalgo y trióxido de cromo (166.0 mg/L) utilizados como control positivo y 5% de sacarosa como control negativo. Las muestras se expusieron del día 7 al 15 de gestación y se sacrificaron el día 19 de gestación por inhalación de cloroformo. Analizamos el daño reproductivo de la madre, así como las alteraciones y la falta de osificación del tejido óseo del feto. La dosis más alta probada (1887.9 mg/L) produjo más daño reproductivo en las resorciones de la madre causado por la prevención de la continuación del desarrollo embrionario. Concentraciones de 0.5 mg/L a 943.9 mg/L, resultaron en la falta de costillas de osificación, esternebras, metacarpianos, falanges metatarsales previos y falanges de vértebras sacras posteriores.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Male Reproductive Health.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a targeted class of cancer therapies effective against a range of malignancies and their use is growing significantly each year. Many men taking TKIs desire children, yet very little is known about the potential for reproductive harm of these medications. The mechanism of action of TKIs suggest a possible route to impairment of sperm functional properties or spermatogenesis.

СHROMOSOMAL REARRANGEMENTS AND ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Objective. To determine the frequency and patterns of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with atopic dermatitis. Material and methods. 470 patients with torpid variant of atopic dermatitis were observed. The study included patients with established and recorded in the medical record diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, which has been confirmed in accordance with the diagnostic criteria of J. Hanifin and G. Rajka. Karyological study was performed to 47 patients with skin rash, interpreted as atopic dermatitis and various polysystemic lesions that could be associated with chromosomal aberrations. Results. According to results of karyotyping, 8 (17%) patients had a variety of deviations from the normal karyotype, which made 1.8%. In 3 cases the karyotype corresponding to syndrome Turner was detected. One patient had karyotype 46XY inv7 (gh ph). In 2 patients minor, differing in size inversion of chromosome 9 was detected. In 2 patients translocation forms of chromosomal rearrangements were identified. Conclusion. Given that the prevalence of chromosomal diseases in the population is 0.5%, the frequency of chromosomal rearrangements obtained in this study was 1.8%, significantly higher than general population figures. According to the results, we can recommend karyotyping for torpid form of atopic dermatitis particularly with concomitant pathology polysystemic or reproductive harm.

Estresse Térmico e sua Influência na Fisiologia Hormonal de Pequenos Ruminantes

Over the years with changes in both production and marketing aspects of the operation of goats and sheep has been highlighted and is widespread throughout the world. The sheep and goat production systems are affected by several restrictive elements that can compromise their development, among which stands out the adverse weather conditions that contribute to the reduction of the herd productivity. In conditions of thermal stress, the animals begin a series of mechanisms regulated by hormones and coordinated by the nervous system and the endocrine system. In this context, the objective was to make a literature review on hormone physiology in control of heat stress in sheep and goats. Hormonal changes detected in animals under heat stress affects both their productive performance as the reproductive, predisposing the onset of diseases, stunted growth or reproductive harm. Changes in behavior are the first visible signs triggered by hormonal changes due to thermal stress.

Infección por chlamydia trachomatis

La infección por clamidia es la enfermedad de transmisión sexual bacteriana más común en el mundo(1,2). La Organización Mundial de la Salud comunica 90 millones de casos nuevos cada año en el mundo, mientras el Centro de Control de Enfermedades (CDC) de Atlanta indica 4 millones de nuevos casos cada año en EU de A(1). La infección ha aumentado en las últimas dos décadas, ocurriendo la mayor prevalencia en adolescentes de 15 a 19 años de edad. Es un problema de salud de la mujer, por el daño reproductivo que produce.

Suggested safe harbor limit for titanium dioxide: an exposure level which protects consumers from cancer incidence.

Suggested safe harbor limit for titanium dioxide: an exposure level which protects consumers from cancer incidence.

Assessing the reproductive health of men with occupational exposures.

The earliest report linking environmental (occupational) exposure to adverse human male reproductive effects dates back to1775 when an English physician, Percival Pott, reported a high incidence of scrotal cancer in chimney sweeps. This observation led to safety regulations in the form of bathing requirements for these workers. The fact that male-mediated reproductive harm in humans may be a result of toxicant exposures did not become firmly established until relatively recently, when Lancranjan studied lead-exposed workers in Romania in 1975, and later in 1977, when Whorton examined the effects of dibromochloropropane (DBCP) on male workers in California. Since these discoveries, several additional human reproductive toxicants have been identified through the convergence of laboratory and observational findings. Many research gaps remain, as the pool of potential human exposures with undetermined effects on male reproduction is vast. This review provides an overview of methods used to study the effects of exposures on male reproduction and their reproductive health, with a primary emphasis on the implementation and interpretation of human studies. Emphasis will be on occupational exposures, although much of the information is also useful in assessing environmental studies, occupational exposures are usually much higher and better defined.

LITIGATION Court orders California to temporarily remove bisphenol A from toxics list

California must remove bisphenol A (BPA) from its list of chemicals known to cause reproductive toxicity until an industry-led lawsuit challenging the listing is resolved, a California superior court ruled on April 19. California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment proposed listing BPA as a reproductive toxicant under the state’s Proposition 65 in January and followed through with the listing earlier this month. Proposition 65 is a list of chemicals that are known to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. The American Chemistry Council filed a lawsuit in March on behalf of the chemical industry in an attempt to stop the agency from listing BPA as a reproductive toxicant. The industry group claims that there is not enough evidence that BPA is harmful to humans. “We do not believe there is a scientific basis for including BPA on the Proposition 65 list, and we look forward to our case ...

Environmentally Benign In-Line Cleaning Solutions for Immersion Lithography Tools

A pH neutral formulation 3x to perform the in-line cleaning of resists/topcoats contaminated immersion assembly efficiently and effectively has been developed. It is environmentally benign with no halides, no individual component having a flash point above 38°C or known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Can Indoor Swimming Alter Hormones in Boys?

Can Indoor Swimming Alter Hormones in Boys?

Establishing evidence for early action: The prevention of reproductive and developmental harm

Developmental and reproductive toxicants that cause serious disease and dysfunction, either lifelong or occurring late in life, can be initiated in the early life stages of human beings and other species. It is often the timing of the dose more than the dose itself that distinguishes harmful from harmless exposures to such toxicants. As much of the harm is irreversible, and sometimes multigenerational, the timing of actions to prevent such harm is also critical. In determining when there is a sufficiency of evidence to justify early prevention of harm, decision-makers need to take account of the implications of multicausality, the methodological biases within environmental sciences, and the need to take precautionary, as well as preventive actions to eliminate or reduce exposures. The widely used Bradford Hill causal 'criteria' are briefly reviewed in light of multicausality. Reaching agreement between stakeholders on a sufficiency of evidence for early action to reduce exposures to toxicants requires the consistent use of transparent definitions of the concepts and terms used to characterize the strength of evidence between causes and effects. Proposals are made to improve those in current use, including a definition of the precautionary principle.