Endocrine disrupters and ovarian function

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are synthetic and naturally occurring chemicals that cannot be classified by any unique physical or chemical properties, but are characterized by their effects on the endocrine system. Recognition that environmental toxicants can mimic endogenous hormones and act as endocrine toxicants or “endocrine disrupters” has lead to concern that exposure to these compounds is linked to adverse health effects in humans. Although contemporary epidemiological studies fail to support an association between exposure to endocrine disrupters and infertility or decreased fecundity, quantification of endocrine toxicants in human ovarian follicular fluid, together with observed adverse effects in animals and in vitro studies, supports concerns that exposure to endocrine toxicants has the potential to adversely affect human ovarian function. Indeed, evidence that endocrine disrupting chemicals can bind with the estrogen receptor, change steroidogenic enzyme expression and activity, increase steroid hormone turnover, and induce ovarian follicle destruction supports the conclusion that these compounds are ovarian toxicants.