OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between cadmium pollution and its adverse effects on female reproductive health status in people living in cadmium polluted area in Zhenghe, Fujian provinces.

METHODSData through laboratory studies on reproductive health of female residents in Cd-pollution area were studied and compared with those in control areas in Zhenghe.

RESULTSBoth prevalence rates of abnormal menstrual cycle and dysmenorrhea in unmarried women in Cd-pollution area (19.1% vs. 42.6%) were significantly higher than those in control area (5.7% vs. 18.9%) and the rates of sterility in married women in Cd-pollution area (6.3%) were significantly higher than those in control area (1.1%). During the first two pregnancies, rates of queasiness, disgorgement, spontaneous abortion and stillbirth in married women in polluted area were 44.7%, 31.7%, 10.27% and 4.23%, significantly higher than those 26.5%, 17.8%, 2.85% and 1.05% in control area, with significant differences (P < 0.05). Results from cumulative odds model analysis showed that: living in Cd-pollution area was a possible risk factor related to female reproductive health (OR = 2.072), after the other risk factors being under control.

CONCLUSIONThe female reproductive health status of people residing in the cadmium polluted area had already been deteriorated.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Adult ; Cadmium ; adverse effects ; China ; epidemiology ; Dysmenorrhea ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Environmental Pollutants ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors

The purpose of this study was to review occupational reproductive abnormalities and occupational bladder cancer in Korea and to discuss their toxicological implications. Reproductive dysfunction as a result of 2-bromopropane poisoning was first reported in Korean workers. In 1995, 23 of the 33 workers (25 female and 8 male workers) who were exposed to 2-bromopropane during the assembly of tactile switch parts developed reproductive and/or hematopoietic disorders. A total of 17 (68%) workers were diagnosed with ovarian failure. Two of the eight male workers experienced azoospermia and four workers experienced some degree of oligospermia or reduced sperm motility. In summary, 2-bromopropane poisoning caused severe reproductive effects in Korean workers. The prognosis was poor for reproductive dysfunction. A few cases of occupational bladder cancer have been reported in Korea, whereas other cancers of the urinary tract have not been reported after occupational exposure. A few cases of benzidine-induced cancer have been reported in Korea and 592 workers in Japan have received compensation for benzidine and beta-naphthylamine-induced cancer. In conclusion, a few cases of benzidine-induced occupational bladder cancer have been reported in Korea. However, benzidine-induced bladder cancer will likely be an important occupational health issue in Korea in the coming years.
2-Naphthylamine/toxicity ; Azoospermia/chemically induced/epidemiology ; Benzidines/toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocarbons, Brominated/toxicity ; Infertility/*chemically induced/*epidemiology ; Male ; Occupational Diseases/*chemically induced/*epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects ; Oligospermia/chemically induced/epidemiology ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/chemically induced/epidemiology ; Republic of Korea ; Sperm Motility/drug effects ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/*chemically induced/*epidemiology

Recent epidemiological evidence demonstrates that boys born to women exposed to phthalates during pregnancy have an increased incidence of cryptorchidism, hypospadias, testicular cancer and spermatogenic dysfunction, which are collectively referred to as testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS). TDS may be attributed to the dysfunction of Leydig cells and Sertoli cells during their differentiation after exposure to phthalates in utero. Fox example, Leydig cell functions are significantly affected by phthalates, leading to the decrease of two Leydig cell products--insulin-like growth factor 3 (INSL3) and testosterone, which are critical factors for testis descent. The disorientation of Leydig cells and Sertoli cells in the adult testis may be the cause of spermatogenic dysfunction.
Adult ; Cryptorchidism ; epidemiology ; Female ; Fetus ; drug effects ; Gonadal Dysgenesis ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; Male ; Maternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Phthalic Acids ; toxicity ; Pregnancy ; Syndrome ; Testicular Diseases ; epidemiology ; Testis ; cytology

Endocrine disruptors (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane [DDT], dioxin, and some pesticides) are estrogen-like and anti-androgenic chemicals in the environment. They mimic natural hormones, inhibit the action of hormones, or alter the normal regulatory function of the endocrine system and have potential hazardous effects on male reproductive axis causing infertility. Although testicular and prostate cancers, abnormal sexual development, undescended testis, chronic inflammation, Sertoli-cell-only pattern, hypospadias, altered pituitary and thyroid gland functions are also observed, the available data are insufficient to deduce worldwide conclusions. The development of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is beyond doubt the most important recent breakthrough in the treatment of male infertility, but it does not necessarily treat the cause and may inadvertently pass on adverse genetic consequences. Many well-controlled clinical studies and basic scientific discoveries in the physiology, biochemistry, and molecular and cellular biology of the male reproductive system have helped in the identification of greater numbers of men with male factor problems. Newer tools for the detection of Y-chromosome deletions have further strengthened the hypothesis that the decline in male reproductive health and fertility may be related to the presence of certain toxic chemicals in the environment. Thus the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of male factor infertility remain a real challenge. Clinicians should always attempt to identify the etiology of a possible testicular toxicity, assess the degree of risk to the patient being evaluated for infertility, and initiate a plan to control and prevent exposure to others once an association between occupation/toxicant and infertility has been established.
Endocrine Disruptors ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Environmental Pollutants ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; Male ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects