Endocrine Disruptors in Water and Their Effects on the Reproductive System

Abstract

Anthropogenic contaminants in water can impose risks to reproductive health. Most of these compounds are known to be endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs can impact the endocrine system and subsequently impair the development and fertility of non-human animals and humans. The source of chemical contamination in water is diverse, originating from byproducts formed during water disinfection processes, release from industry and livestock activity, or therapeutic drugs released into sewage. This review discusses the occurrence of EDCs in water such as disinfection byproducts, fluorinated compounds, bisphenol A, phthalates, pesticides, and estrogens, and it outlines their adverse reproductive effects in non-human animals and humans.

Endocrine Disruptors Acting on Estrogen and Androgen Pathways Cause Reproductive Disorders through Multiple Mechanisms: A Review

“…The route of exposure to EDCs depends on the type of chemical and its use. It can be via food in the case of pesticides absorbed by plants, fish affected by contaminated water and drinking toxic water [ 29 , 30 ]. Some EDCs are components of synthetic food products like food coloring additives, while others migrate into food from packaging [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Occurrence and Fate of Bisphenol A and its Congeners in Two Wastewater Treatment Plants and Receiving Surface Waters in Romania

“…In the last 2 decades, the concept of endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) has become a subject of debate and concern among scientists, physicians, regulatory authorities, and the public (Fernandez 2019; Celic et al 2020; Gonsioroski et al 2020; Muller et al 2020). The study of the effects of EDCs on human health is a difficult and complex issue.…”

Maternal Exposure to Disinfection By-Products and Risk of Hypospadias in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (2000–2005)

“…Recent studies have shown that some regulated DBPs have endocrine-disrupting properties [ 33 , 34 ], providing biological plausibility for the relationship between hypospadias and DBPs. However, since inconsistent results have been observed in the epidemiologic studies of hypospadias among well-known endocrine disruptors such as pesticides [ 26 , 35 , 36 ], and the etiology of hypospadias remains relatively unknown, additional epidemiologic research is needed to understand the potential contribution of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including DBPs, to this multifactorial birth defect [ 15 , 29 ].…”

“…There is increasing evidence from non-human toxicology studies that DBPs have endocrine disrupting capabilities and the potential to negatively impact the reproductive system [ 15 ]. For example, dibromoacetic acid (DBAA) exposure was found to have spermatoxic effects (i.e., delayed spermiation and formation of atypical residual bodies) among male rats and mice [ 16 ].…”