[Pharmwaste] FW: article abstracts re: contributions of environment to human infertility

[Tenace, Laurie]

These abstracts were taken from this web site, which I've mentioned before as
an excellent source of articles about the environment:
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/     

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http://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/abstract/srm/doi/10.1055/s-2006-94441
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ABSTRACT
The overall contribution of environmental exposures to infertility is
unknown, but a growing scientific database suggests that exposure to various
environmental factors, both in utero and neonatally, could dramatically
affect adult fertility. Studies of various contaminant-exposed wildlife
populations suggest that multiple mechanisms contribute to changes in gonadal
development, maturation of germ cells, fertilization, and pregnancy;
specifically, the endocrine processes supporting these events. Although great
debate and extensive research has occurred during the last decade surrounding
fertility, fecundity, and semen quality, much less work has focused on
environmental alterations in oocyte development and maturation. Exposure of
the developing ovary to estrogens, whether of pharmaceutical (e.g.,
diethylstilbesterol) or environmental (e.g., phytoestrogens, pesticides with
estrogenic action) origin, can disrupt early oogenesis and folliculogenesis
leading to a pathology termed the multioocytic follicle (polyovular
follicle), which in rodents reduces fertilization and embryonic survival
rates. The mechanism underlying this pathology is hypothesized to involve a
disruption in the gonadotropin-estrogen-inhibin/activin signaling pathway.
Given the conserved nature of vertebrate oogenesis and folliculogenesis, we
suggest that perturbations of these phenomena in humans, caused by
environmental contaminant exposure, could lead to altered fertility, as has
been reported in wildlife and laboratory rodent models.

http://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/abstract/srm/doi/10.1055/s-2006-94441
8   
ABSTRACT 
Approximately 10 to 15% of the population experiences infertility. Although
85 to 90% of couples or individuals who experience infertility have a
diagnosis for their infertility, underlying causes of infertility rarely are
found. Extensive literature reporting adverse effects of environmental
contaminants on wildlife and laboratory animal reproductive tract
development, and reproductive function and epidemiologic studies with humans,
suggests that many environmental chemicals and heavy metals may contribute to
infertility. This article introduces the medical context in which infertility
patients are evaluated and lays the foundation for health care professional
and patient conversations, and medical education regarding environmental
contaminants and human reproductive health for the future.

http://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/abstract/srm/doi/10.1055/s-2006-94442
0   
ABSTRACT
The burden of unwanted infertility appears to be increasing, but links to
environmental causes have, until recently, been difficult to establish. A
large body of data suggests that sperm counts have been declining in Europe
and the United States, but interpretation of these statistical trends remains
controversial, and the role of the environment uncertain. We were able to
show that some currently used pesticides are significantly associated with
reduced sperm concentration by linking pesticide concentration in men's urine
to results of their semen analysis. In a follow-up study, we showed that
prenatal phthalate exposure was linked to subtle differences in genital
development of male offspring that could impact the child's future fertility.
Researchers are increasingly able to measure levels of environmental
chemicals in human samples, and are using these to identify agents that
impair fertility. These methods, rather than trend analyses, may lead more
directly-and more persuasively-to identifying the role of environment in
human fertility.

http://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/abstract/srm/doi/10.1055/s-2006-94442
1   
ABSTRACT
An increasing body of evidence suggests that environmental exposures are
adversely influencing female fecundity and fertility. Endocrine-disrupting
compounds (EDCs) are of particular concern, due to their ability to interfere
with the body's hormonal milieu. An overview of the literature regarding the
effect of EDCs on female fecundity and fertility end points such as puberty,
menstruation, endometriosis, time to pregnancy, pregnancy loss, reproductive
senescence, and secondary sex ratio is presented. Methodologic challenges in
studying the effects EDCs on sensitive reproductive end points are discussed
and include exposure to mixtures, the choice of biologic media in which to
measure compounds, laboratory methods, and varying modeling techniques. Also
reviewed are novel technologies for home-based biospecimen collection and
testing that offer promise for field-based research aimed at addressing
questions about environmental influences on female fecundity and fertility.




Laurie J. Tenace
Environmental Specialist
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 4555
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
PH: (850) 245-8759
FAX: (850) 245-8811
Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us  
 
view our mercury web pages at: 
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm 

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