title: Negative impact of endocrine-disrupting compounds on human reproductive health.
abstract: There is increasing concern about chemical pollutants that are able to mimic hormones, the so-called endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), because of their structural similarity to endogenous hormones, their ability to interact with hormone transport proteins or because of their potential to disrupt hormone metabolic pathways. Thus, the effects of endogenous hormones can be mimicked or, in some cases, completely blocked. A substantial number of environmental pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, bisphenol A, pesticides, alkylphenols and heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury), have been shown to disrupt endocrine function. These compounds can cause reproductive problems by decreasing sperm count and quality, increasing the number of testicular germ cells and causing male breast cancer, cryptorchidism, hypospadias, miscarriages, endometriosis, impaired fertility, irregularities of the menstrual cycle, and infertility. Although EDCs may be released into the environment in different ways, the main sources is industrial waste water. The present paper critically reviews the current knowledge of the impact of EDCs on reproductive disorders in humans.
authors.affiliation: Pulp and Paper Institute, Bogišićeva ulica 8, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. damjan.balabanic@gmail.com
authors.forename: Damjan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Balabanič
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rupnik
authors.forename: Aleksandra Krivograd
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Klemenčič
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000506:poisoning*; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants