Paediatria Croatica, Vol. 59 No. 1, 2015.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.13112/PC.2015.4
Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals as a prenatal risk factor for cryptorchidism
Ivana Fratrić
; Institut za zdravstvenu zaštitu dece i omladine Vojvodine, Medicinski fakultet, Univerzitet u Novom Sadu, Srbija
Dragana Živković
Saša Vukmirović
Abstract
This review describes the most recent data on the eff ects of endocrine disrupting compounds on reproductive tract development, as
well as controversies in the fi eld. One of the most frequent conditions aff ected by endocrine disrupting compounds is cryptorchidism.
Recent reports regarding the cause of this disorder continue to increase our understanding of this common and important problem.
Endocrine disruptors are defi ned as exogenous substances with the ability to disrupt normal endocrine homeostasis and reproduction,
and they include xenoestrogens, synthetic and natural hormones, phyto- and mycoestrogens, and other substances aff ecting
endocrine signaling. Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals is widespread. Epidemiological studies suggest associations
between prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and numerous malformations of androgen dependent tissues.
Animal models and epidemiological evidence link exposure to androgen disrupting chemicals with cryptorchidism, reduced sperm
cell counts, increasing infertility, and testicular and prostate cancers. Since male sexual diff erentiation is androgen dependent, it is
highly susceptible to endocrine disruptors. Whether the level of exposure contributes to the increasing prevalence of cryptorchidism
is an ongoing debate. Further, there appears to be increased sensitivity to these agents during critical developmental periods when
male diff erentiation is at its peak. Diff erences in the interpretation of the available studies underlie the disparate conclusions of scientifi
c and regulatory body panels on the potential toxicological eff ects of endocrine disrupting chemicals at the current levels of
human exposure. This review will highlight the evidence for endocrine disrupting chemicals that act through interference with the
androgen receptor and lead to cryptorchidism.
Keywords
cryptorchidism; endocrine disruptors
Hrčak ID:
142402
URI
Publication date:
26.3.2015.
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