Impact of heavy metals on the female reproductive system

Autor: Piotr Rzymski, Katarzyna Tomczyk, Pawel Rzymski, Barbara Poniedziałek, Tomasz Opala, Maciej Wilczak
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2015
Předmět:
Zdroj: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, Vol 22, Iss 2, Pp 259-264 (2015)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1232-1966
1898-2263
12321966
DOI: 10.5604/12321966.1152077
Popis: Introduction It has been recognized that environmental pollution can affect the quality of health of the human population. Heavy metals are among the group of highly emitted contaminants and their adverse effect of living organisms has been widely studied in recent decades. Lifestyle and quality of the ambient environment are among these factors which can mainly contribute to the heavy metals exposure in humans. Objective A review of literature linking heavy metals and the female reproductive system and description of the possible associations with emission and exposure of heavy metals and impairments of female reproductive system according to current knowledge. Results The potential health disorders caused by chronic or acute heavy metals toxicity include immunodeficiency, osteoporosis, neurodegeneration and organ failures. Potential linkages of heavy metals concentration found in different human organs and blood with oestrogen-dependent diseases such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer, endometriosis and spontaneous abortions, as well as pre-term deliveries, stillbirths and hypotrophy, have also been reported. Conclusions Environmental deterioration can lead to the elevated risk of human exposure to heavy metals, and consequently, health implications including disturbances in reproduction. It is therefore important to continue the investigations on metal-induced mechanisms of fertility impairment on the genetic, epigenetic and biochemical level.
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