Workshop on perinatal exposure to dioxin-like compounds. II. Reproductive effects

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Environmental Health Perspectives

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3432460· OSTI ID:482244

Eskenazi, B ^[1]; Kimmel, G ^[2]

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1. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
2. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States)

This summary report focuses on current studies on reproductive effects reported at the workshop on Perinatal Exposure to Dioxin-like Compounds and supporting data noted in the discussion. Recent laboratory studies have suggested that altered development (e.g., low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, congenital malformation) and reproductive health (e.g., fertility, sex organ development, reproductive behavior) may be among the most sensitive end points when examining the effects of dioxin-like compounds. Thus, future research should target the reproductive health of both males and females exposed postnatally and prenatally. Studies in humans are needed and are on-going. In animal models, postnatal exposure to dioxin or dioxinlike compounds has been associated with abnormal spermatogenesis and abnormal testicular morphology and size in males and with reduced fertility and endometriosis in females. In utero exposure may also produce profound reproductive consequences in both males and females including delays in sexual maturation, abnormalities in development of sexual organs, and abnormal sexual behavior. The mechanism by which dioxin-like compounds cause reproductive effects is not well delineated. 13 refs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 482244
• Report Number(s): CONF-9308287--
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives, Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal Issue: Suppl.2 Vol. 103; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPAZ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
DIOXIN
FEMALES
FERTILITY
MALE GENITALS
SPERMATOGENESIS