Impact of heavy metals on the female reproductive system
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2015, Vol 22, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction. It has been recognized that environmental pollution can affect the quality of health of the human population. Heavy metals are among the group of highly emitted contaminants and their adverse effect of living organisms has been widely studied in recent decades. Lifestyle and quality of the ambient environment are among these factors which can mainly contribute to the heavy metals exposure in humans. Objective. A review of literature linking heavy metals and the female reproductive system and description of the possible associations with emission and exposure of heavy metals and impairments of female reproductive system according to current knowledge. Results. The potential health disorders caused by chronic or acute heavy metals toxicity include immunodeficiency, osteoporosis, neurodegeneration and organ failures. Potential linkages of heavy metals concentration found in different human organs and blood with oestrogen-dependent diseases such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer, endometriosis and spontaneous abortions, as well as pre-term deliveries, stillbirths and hypotrophy, have also been reported. Conclusions. Environmental deterioration can lead to the elevated risk of human exposure to heavy metals, and consequently, health implications including disturbances in reproduction. It is therefore important to continue the investigations on metal-induced mechanisms of fertility impairment on the genetic, epigenetic and biochemical level.
Authors and Affiliations
Piotr Rzymski, Katarzyna Tomczyk, Pawel Rzymski, Barbara Poniedziałek, Tomasz Opala, Maciej Wilczak
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP80955
- DOI -
- Views 200
- Downloads 0
Alantolactone and isoalantolactone suppress maximal electroshock-induced tonic seizures in mice
[b]Introduction and objective[/b]. The aim of this study was to perform the anticonvulsant screening test to determine whether two sesquiterpene lactones (alantolactone and isoalantolactone) isolated from herbs and medic...
Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis in the course of gastric cancer – Case report
Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis is a special type of diffuse metastasis of carcinoma in the lymphatic vessels of the lungs. Lymphangitic carcinomatosis is commonly observed in malignancies of the breast, lung, panc...
Addison’s disease due to tuberculosis of the adrenal glands
Introduction: Addison’s disease (AD), or primary adrenocortical insufficiency, was first described by Thomas Addison in patients with adrenal tuberculosis (TBC). Over the past several decades, along with the introduction...
Allergenic potential of moulds isolated from buildings
Introduction: Moulds are the one of the known biological factors that have a negative impact on human health. Moulds are commonly present in residential and work environments. Materials plentiful in organic compounds, su...
Common ophthalmic problems of urban and rural postmenopausal women in a population sample of Raciborz district, a RAC-OST-POL Study
Introduction and objective. We wished to establish the prevalence of eye diseases and eye disease risk factors at postmenopausal age and to compare ophthalmic problems in urban and rural areas of Raciborz.Patients and me...