Review article
Effects of lead on reproduction: review of data from human studies and from animal experiments
M. Piasek
; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Recent literature data concerning reproductive effects of lead in exposed men and women and in experimental animals of both sexes are presented. Key results from the studies which have been performed in the attempt to elucidate possible pathogenic mechanisms underlying lead effects on male and female reproductive functions are also surveyed. The teratogenic action of lead is briefly presented. The relevance of experimental conditions, when animals of both sexes are simultaneously and/or identically exposed to lead, for assessing the maternal adverse effect of lead on the foetus as compared Ito the paternally mediated one is pointed out. Author's own results from single-generation reproduction studies on male and fe¬ma1e rats are presented. Finally, the necessary is stressed for determining some aspects of reproductive lead toxicity, which have not yet been sufficiently elucidated. These are, to the first place, the relative significance of sex, level and duration of exposure and a possible reversibility of lead effect in conditions of growing pollution of the natural environment and of risk from lead exposure for an increasing number of female workers.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
153265
URI
Publication date:
18.1.1988.
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