[Exposure to endocrine disruptors and male urogenital tract malformations [cryptorchidism and hypospadias]].
BACKGROUND
It has been proposed that the intrauterine period of child-mother exposure to hormonally active compounds (endocrine disruptors) is of critical importance.


OBJECTIVE
We reviewed all Spanish and English-language epidemiological studies published between 1990 and the first trimester of 2006 that studied the possible association between human exposure to chemical compounds and the risk of cryptorchidism and/or hypospadias.


METHODS
The MEDLINE (PubMed) database was searched using the following key words: endocrine disruptors, organochlorine pesticides, xenoestrogens, cryptorchidism and hypospadias. Selection of the 16 studies included was based on the following criteria: study design and population, the measures of exposure used, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the statistical analysis used.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the studies reviewed do not conclusively confirm the association between exposure to endocrine disruptors and the risk of male genital malformation, this association cannot be ruled out. Further in-depth investigation of this association is required. Issues that remain to be resolved are the diagnostic classification to be used and appropriate measurement of exposure to multiple chemical compounds and environmental contaminants that act conjointly through mechanisms similar to endogenous hormones.
Fernández
Mariana F
MF
Laboratorio de Investigaciones Médicas, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Universidad de Granada, Granada, España. marieta@ugr.es
Olmos
Begoña
B
Olea
Nicolás
N
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000196:embryology; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007021:Hypospadias / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000196:embryology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014564:Urogenital Abnormalities / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000196:embryology / Q000453:epidemiology
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants