Introduction to Environmental Pollutants and Human Reproduction

Abstract

Environmental pollution is a global issue caused by the introduction of chemical, biological, and physical substances in the environment. The short- and long-term effects of these substances on human reproduction are a present matter of concern, especially in the developed countries. Several mechanisms may be involved in reproductive damage caused by environmental pollutants including hormone-mediated effects, oxidative stress, and direct genetic damage. In recent times, big efforts have been made for the identification of the harmful pollutants, their mechanism of interaction with human fertility, tolerable limits, and possible solutions to minimize the human exposure. In this chapter, we summarize the current knowledge on the impact of environmental pollutants on human reproduction, with a special focus on their mechanisms of action.