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Title: Environmental factors, epigenetics, and developmental origin of reproductive disorders.

Authors: Ho, Shuk-Mei; Cheong, Ana; Adgent, Margaret A; Veevers, Jennifer; Suen, Alisa A; Tam, Neville N C; Leung, Yuet-Kin; Jefferson, Wendy N; Williams, Carmen J

Published In Reprod Toxicol, (2017 03)

Abstract: Sex-specific differentiation, development, and function of the reproductive system are largely dependent on steroid hormones. For this reason, developmental exposure to estrogenic and anti-androgenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is associated with reproductive dysfunction in adulthood. Human data in support of "Developmental Origins of Health and Disease" (DOHaD) comes from multigenerational studies on offspring of diethylstilbestrol-exposed mothers/grandmothers. Animal data indicate that ovarian reserve, female cycling, adult uterine abnormalities, sperm quality, prostate disease, and mating behavior are susceptible to DOHaD effects induced by EDCs such as bisphenol A, genistein, diethylstilbestrol, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene, phthalates, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Mechanisms underlying these EDC effects include direct mimicry of sex steroids or morphogens and interference with epigenomic sculpting during cell and tissue differentiation. Exposure to EDCs is associated with abnormal DNA methylation and other epigenetic modifications, as well as altered expression of genes important for development and function of reproductive tissues. Here we review the literature exploring the connections between developmental exposure to EDCs and adult reproductive dysfunction, and the mechanisms underlying these effects.

PubMed ID: 27421580 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: Animals; Endocrine Disruptors/toxicity*; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*; Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects*; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/chemically induced*; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/genetics; Reproduction/drug effects*; Reproduction/genetics

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Last Reviewed: October 07, 2024