Caserta D, Maranghi L, Mantovani A, Marci R, Maranghi F, Moscarini M
Institute of Gynecology, Perinatology and Child Health, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome La Sapienza, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189 Rome, Italy.
Hum Reprod Update. 2008 Jan-Feb;14(1):59-72. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmm025. Epub 2007 Dec 10.
The potential hazardous effects that estrogen- and androgen-like chemicals may have both on wildlife and human health have attracted much attention from the scientific community. Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are chemicals that have the capacity to interfere with normal signalling systems. EDCs may mimic, block or modulate the synthesis, release, transport, metabolism and binding or elimination of natural hormones. Even though potential EDCs may be present in the environment at only very low levels, they may still cause harmful effects, especially when several different compounds act on one target. EDCs include persistent pollutants, agrochemicals and widespread industrial compounds. Not all EDCs are man-made compounds; many plants produce substances (phytoestrogens) that can have different endocrine effects either adverse or beneficial in certain circumstances. Natural substances such as sex hormones from urban or farm wastes can become concentrated in industrial, agricultural and urban areas; thus, such wastes may be considered potential 'EDCs' for humans and/or wildlife. Much attention has focussed on changing trends in male reproductive parameters in relation to EDC exposure; however, studies on the female reproductive system have been less comprehensive. We have focussed this article on four major aspects of female reproductive health: fertility and fecundability, endometriosis, precocious puberty and breast and endometrial cancer.
雌激素和雄激素样化学物质可能对野生动物和人类健康产生的潜在有害影响已引起科学界的广泛关注。内分泌干扰物（EDCs）是能够干扰正常信号系统的化学物质。EDCs可能会模拟、阻断或调节天然激素的合成、释放、运输、代谢以及结合或消除过程。即使潜在的EDCs在环境中的含量可能极低，但它们仍可能造成有害影响，尤其是当几种不同的化合物作用于一个靶点时。EDCs包括持久性污染物、农用化学品和广泛使用的工业化合物。并非所有的EDCs都是人造化合物；许多植物会产生一些物质（植物雌激素），在某些情况下，这些物质可能会产生不同的内分泌效应，既有不利的，也有有益的。来自城市或农场废弃物中的性激素等天然物质可能会在工业、农业和城市地区富集；因此，这类废弃物可能被视为对人类和/或野生动物具有潜在影响的“EDCs”。人们十分关注与EDC暴露相关的男性生殖参数的变化趋势；然而，关于女性生殖系统的研究却不够全面。本文重点关注女性生殖健康的四个主要方面：生育能力和受孕能力、子宫内膜异位症、性早熟以及乳腺癌和子宫内膜癌。
