title: Ovarian toxicity: from environmental exposure to chemotherapy.
abstract: Unlike men, who have continuous spermatogenesis throughout most of their lifetime, women are born with a fixed supply of follicles, and this number progressively declines with age until the menopause. Beside age, the speed of follicle depletion can be regulated by genetic, hormonal and environmental influences. In the course of their lives, women are exposed to multiple chemicals and radiation sources that can increase the chance of developing permanent infertility and premature ovarian failure (POF). A wealth of experimental data indicate that iatrogenic (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) and xenobiotic agents (e.g., chemicals, pharmaceuticals) are potent ovotoxicants capable of accelerating ovarian reserve depletion. In the present review we reported the negative effects exerted on mammalian ovary by some widely diffused environmental chemicals, as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dithiocarbamate mancozeb, and by 1-3 butadiene and 4-vinylcycloexene, two occupational chemicals known to be capable of inducing ovarian cancer and infertility. Furthermore, attention has been devoted to the consequences of chemo- and radiotherapy on the ovary, both known to affect reproductive lifespan. Our increasing understanding of metabolic alterations induced by these agents is fundamental to individuate new therapeutic strategies aimed to prevent ovarian dysfunction in fertile women.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Iorio
authors: Annalisa
authors: A
authors: Castellucci
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Ventriglia
authors: Flavia
authors: F
authors: Teoli
authors: Valerio
authors: V
authors: Cellini
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Macchiarelli
authors: University of L'Aquila, Dept. of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy. sandra.cecconi@univaq.it.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Cecconi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D015262:Xenobiotics