Perspectives on reproductive and developmental toxicity

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Toxicol. Ind. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/074823378600200408· OSTI ID:6326244

Johnson, E M

Human reproduction and development is a cycle of interdependent events. Virtually all of its phases have been shown to be the primary target of one or more non-mutagenic exogenous agents. Such agents interfere with certain of the countless epigenetic or ontogenic events essential for normal completion of the cycle. Mutagens disrupt this cycle at some points, but the overwhelming majority of reproductive and developmental toxins are not mutagenic. As in all aspects of toxicology, the reproductive and developmental effects of chemicals are determined by the intrinsic nature of the chemical, the quantity of the chemical exposure, the duration of exposure and the stage of the cycle at which it occurs. Signs of reproductive toxicity range from reduced fertility to spontaneous abortion. Adverse effects on the conceptus are categorized as functional deficits, developmental retardation, structural abnormality and death. One or more of these is anticipated to occur as a result of excess exposure to most chemicals. Although the degree of hazard and risk potential can be calculated in each instance, chemicals differ markedly in their ability to interfere with reproduction and/or development. Standardized methods for reproductive and developmental toxicity safety evaluation are available for detecting adverse effects upon any aspect of reproduction and development. Data currently available establish that these state-of-the-art tests conducted in laboratory animals are often highly predictive of the type of adverse effect a particular chemical will have in humans, as well as the exposure level at which it will occur. By adding a modest safety factor to the no-observed-effect-level of well-executed animal studies, safe human exposure levels can be established. 40 references.

• Research Organization: Thomas Jefferson Univ., Philadelphia, PA
• OSTI ID: 6326244
• Journal Information: Toxicol. Ind. Health; (United States), Vol. 4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
HEALTH HAZARDS
XENOBIOTICS
TOXICITY
MAN
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
MUTAGENS
PREGNANCY
REPRODUCTION
RISK ASSESSMENT
ANIMALS
HAZARDS
INDUSTRY
MAMMALS
PRIMATES
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology