The reproductive toxicology of Great Lakes contaminants.

Abstract

The Great Lakes basin is characterized as a heavily populated and industrialized region in which a large number of environmental contaminants have been identified. Both the scientific community and the public have voiced concern that contaminants present in the Great Lakes may pose undue risk to human reproduction. Evidence from animal experiments, wildlife studies, and reports of occupational and accidental human exposures indicate that chemical contaminants can adversely affect reproduction. The purpose of this paper is to review the reproductive toxicity of some of the many contaminants known to be present in the Great Lakes. Since the number of chemicals present in the Great Lakes is far too great for each to be adequately reviewed here, discussion will be limited to those contaminants that have been identified in human serum, ovarian follicular fluid, and semen obtained from people residing in the Great Lakes region. It is concluded that a) the data at present is too limited to support the notion that reproduction, in the general population, has been impaired by exposure to chemicals present in the Great Lakes; b) the lack of data in some cases such as for hexachloroethane and 1,2,4-trichlobenzene does provide reason for concern and underscores the need for further research in this area; and c) the potential for a number of the compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(pchlorophenyl) ethane (DDT), to disrupt endocrine functions suggests that additive or synergistic effects of these compounds may already be causing adverse effects on reproduction in sensitive individuals, which needs to be explored. -Environ Health Perspect 1 03(Suppl 9): 63-69 (1995)

Serum Concentrations of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Relation to in Vitro Fertilization Outcomes

“…PCBs have been associated with a range of adverse health effects [Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 2000; Carpenter 2006], including adverse effects on reproduction (reviewed by Faroon et al 2001; Foster 1995; Kimbrough 1995; Lione 1988; Longnecker et al 1997; Toft et al 2004) and increased risk of pregnancy loss (Toft et al 2010). However, the human data available on this topic to date remain vague and largely inconclusive.…”

“…Exposure to PCBs can result in an internal dose to the female reproductive tract, as PCBs have been measured in human follicular fluid ( De Felip et al 2004 ; Meeker et al 2009 ; Younglai et al 2002 ), ovarian tissue ( Mes et al 1990 ), placenta, uterine muscle, and amniotic fluid ( Polishuk et al 1977 ), as well as in embryos and fetuses ( Covaci et al 2002 ; Nishimura et al 1977 ), providing evidence of exposure to critical tissues during important windows of early development. PCBs have been associated with a range of adverse health effects [Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 2000; Carpenter 2006 ], including adverse effects on reproduction (reviewed by Faroon et al 2001 ; Foster 1995 ; Kimbrough 1995 ; Lione 1988 ; Longnecker et al 1997 ; Toft et al 2004 ) and increased risk of pregnancy loss ( Toft et al 2010 ). However, the human data available on this topic to date remain vague and largely inconclusive.…”

Organochlorine Pollutants and Female Fertility: A Systematic Review Focusing on In Vitro Fertilization Studies

“…Series III corresponds to a study of 150 patients equally distributed between 6 Canadian cities (Calgary, Halifax, Hamilton, London, Toronto, and Vancouver). [53][54][55] Three of the 21 patients included in the partial analysis 55,56 underwent unsuccessful fertilization procedures and 3 went on to become pregnant. Levels of a given OP were higher in serum than in FF and the concentrations in the 2 fluids were positively correlated.…”

Position Paper of the American Council on Science and Health: Public Health Concerns about Environmental Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

“…In all the studies of consumption of contaminated fish, there have been significant confounding factors, such as the presence of methyl mercury, PCDFs, PCDDs, DDT, and other organochlorine pesticides (Foster, 1995). 3 Many of these chemicals are reproductive and developmental toxicants and therefore the adverse effects reported in these studies cannot be specifically attributed to PCB exposure.…”