title: Effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers on thyroid hormone, neurodevelopment and fertility in rodents and humans.
abstract: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as flame retardants. Due to their widespread use in many consumer products, PBDEs can be found in food as well as in the environment. Their presence has also been found in the human serum, human adipose tissue and human breast milk. Results of experimental studies suggest that the presence of PBDE in the environment is not neutral to our health. In rats and mice exposed to PBDE disturbances in thyroid hormone homeostasis and reproductive system such as changes in reproductive organs weight and disorders in sperm motility and motion were found. In rodents, pre- and postnatal exposure to PBDE can cause neurobehavioral effects. Also in humans disturbances in thyroid hormone system, weight of reproductive organs and concentrations of sex hormones associated with PBDEs serum concentrations were found. Exposure to PBDEs during pregnancy may lead to slower mental and psychomotor development in infants. In this paper the results of previous animal and human studies are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland, m-czerska@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czerska
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zieliński
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kamińska
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ligocka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000378:metabolism; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine