Reproductive health effects of aflatoxins: a review of the literature.

CONTEXT

Although it is known that aflatoxins have many adverse health effects, there is no systematic summary of how it affects the reproductive system or its reproductive health effects.

OBJECTIVE

Summarize evidence on the reproductive health effects of aflatoxins.

RESULTS

The search yielded 121 potential studies, of which 25 were retained. One study found a higher concentration of aflatoxins in the semen of infertile men (40% of cases compared to 8% of controls). Six studies found significant associations or correlations between low birth weight and aflatoxins while one study did not find any correlation. One study found maternal serum aflatoxin to be a risk factor for jaundice in infants (OR, 2.68; CI, 1.18-6.10). Overall, maternal breast milk in developing countries had higher rates of aflatoxin contamination than in high income countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Stakeholders in developing countries need to take steps to reduce exposure of vulnerable populations to the toxic effects of aflatoxins.