title: Environment and Endometriosis: a toxic relationship.
abstract: Endometriosis is a common, benign, estrogen-dependent gynecological disease that represents one of the main causes of hospitalization in industrialized countries. It is well established that a large amount of natural and man-made chemicals are present in the environment and both humans and animals are exposed to them. Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds have long biological half-life, can accumulate within the organism and could negatively affect several physiological processes. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the possible relationship between these chemicals and the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, S. Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy. roberto.marci@unife.it.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Soave
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caserta
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wenger
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dessole
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perino
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004147:Dioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D004147:Dioxins; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls