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Sakali AK, Bargiota A, Bjekic-Macut J, Macut D, Mastorakos G, Papagianni M. Environmental factors affecting female fertility. Endocrine 2024:10.1007/s12020-024-03940-y. [PMID: 38954374 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-024-03940-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the recent years, scientific community has increased its interest on solving problems of female fertility pathology. Many factors acting separately or in combination affect significantly the reproductive life of a woman. This review summarizes current evidence regarding the direct and/or indirect action of environmental factors and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs; i.e. heavy metals, plasticizers, parabens, industrial chemicals, pesticides, or medications, by-products, anti-bacterial agents, perfluorochemicals) upon assisted and non-assisted female fertility, extracted from in vivo and in vitro animal and human published data. Transgenerational effects which could have been caused epigenetically by the action of EDCs have been raised. METHODS This narrative review englobes and describes data from in vitro and in vivo animal and human studies with regard to the action of environmental factors, which include EDCs, on female fertility following the questions for narrative reviews of the SANRA (a scale for the quality assessment of narrative review articles). The identification of the studies was done: through the PubMed Central and the PubMed of the MEDLINE, the Google Scholar database and the Cochrane Library database until December 2023 combining appropriate keywords ("specific environmental factors" including "EDCs" AND "specific negative fertility outcomes"); by manual scanning of references from selected articles and reviews focusing on these subjects. It includes references to EDCs-induced transgenerational effects. RESULTS From the reported evidence emerge negative or positive associations between specific environmental factors or EDCs and infertility outcomes such as infertility indices, disrupted maturation of the oocytes, anovulation, deranged transportation of the embryo and failure of implantation. CONCLUSION The revealed adverse outcomes related to female fertility could be attributed to exposure to specific environmental factors such as temperature, climate, radiation, air pollutants, nutrition, toxic substances and EDCs. The recognition of fertility hazards related to the environment will permit the limitation of exposure to them, will improve female fertility and protect the health potential of future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia-Konstantina Sakali
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Larissa University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Alexandra Bargiota
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Larissa University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Jelica Bjekic-Macut
- Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Bežanijska kosa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Djuro Macut
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - George Mastorakos
- Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Papagianni
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece.
- Endocrine Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration Hospital of Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Jangid P, Rai U, Sharma RS, Singh R. The role of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation on female fertility: A review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 33:358-373. [PMID: 35132884 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2030676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With increasing technological developments, exposure to non-ionizing radiations has become unavoidable as people cannot escape from electromagnetic field sources, such as Wi-Fi, electric wires, microwave oven, radio, telecommunication, bluetooth devices, etc. These radiations can be associated with increased health problems of the users. This review aims to determine the effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiations on female fertility. To date, several in vitro and in vivo studies unveiled that exposure to non-ionizing radiations brings about harmful effects on oocytes, ovarian follicles, endometrial tissue, estrous cycle, reproductive endocrine hormones, developing embryo, and fetal development in animal models. Non-ionizing radiation also upsurges the free radical load in the uterus and ovary, which leads to inhibition of cell growth and DNA disruptions. In conclusion, non-ionizing electromagnetic radiations can cause alterations in both germ cells as well as in their nourishing environment and also affect other female reproductive parameters that might lead to infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Jangid
- Department of Environmental Studies, Satyawati College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Umesh Rai
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Radhey Shyam Sharma
- Department of RBMH & CH, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajeev Singh
- Department of Environmental Studies, Satyawati College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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Drobakhin OO, Magro VI, Kosharnyi VV, Rutgaizer VH, Abdul-Ohly LV. The influence of microwave electromagnetic radiation on rat heart morphogenesis during thyroidectomy. REGULATORY MECHANISMS IN BIOSYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.15421/022121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
It is known that electromagnetic radiation affects the functional systems of living beings, in particular, the endocrine and cardiovascular systems and directly the heart cells and their functioning. In this case, the influence of electromagnetic radiation significantly affects the properties of the cardiovascular system and changes physiological processes in it. Moreover, sensitivity to signals is higher for biosystems with a higher level of organization. The method of simulating hypothyroidism for rats makes it possible to develop an experimental model for analyzing morphogenetic changes in the rat heart. Under conditions of hypothyroidism modeling, destructive changes in muscle fibers are observed in the myocardium after thyroidectomy, but after microwave irradiation with an exposure of 45 minutes, a regenerative-compensatory reconstruction of the structural components of the myocardium of the heart wall occurs. After thyroidectomy and microwave irradiation with an exposure of 120 minutes, an increase in degenerative and destructive processes in the heart myocardium was observed. For the first time, a comparative ultramicroscopic study using electron microscopy was carried out. It showed that after electromagnetic irradiation with an exposure of 45 minutes, the general structure of the mitochondrial apparatus does not change. Irradiation with an exposure of 120 minutes causes the destruction of subsarcolemal and paranuclear organelles, edema and degradation of intermyofibrillar mitochondria. After exposure to electromagnetic radiation with the exposure of 45 minutes in a hypothyroid state, a compensatory restructuring of the energy apparatus of the contractile cardiomyocytes of the left ventricle occurs due to the formation of mitochondria and an increase in their contact interaction. After exposure to radiation for 120 minutes, the development of destructive-degenerative processes in the mitochondrial apparatus of left ventricular cardiomyocytes, deepening of damage to intermitochondrial contacts was observed. The most significant increase in the relative volume of the endothelium in the areas of the rat heart myocardium was observed for the case of microwave irradiation only (without experimental hypothyroidism) with exposure duration of 45 minutes. Immunohistochemical study both for the case of microwave irradiation only and for the case of microwave irradiation under conditions of experimental hypothyroidism allows us to conclude that morphogenetic transformations are highly active in the myocardium of the heart when the duration of exposure is 45 minutes. This study will make it possible to develop recommendations for persons with thyroid diseases on the duration of daily exposure of staying in electromagnetic field emitted by devices with characteristics similar to the case under study.
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Burcu A, Nevin E, Ilkay A, Amac K, Alper BH, Muge K. The effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure to electromagnetic field on rat ovarian tissue. Toxicol Ind Health 2020; 36:1010-1018. [PMID: 33190593 DOI: 10.1177/0748233720973136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to an electromagnetic field (EMF) can have adverse effects on many organs and tissues, including the reproductive system. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EMF exposure during prenatal and postnatal periods on ovarian development in rat offspring. In this study, rat pups born from eight pregnant rats were used. EMF exposure was initiated on the first day of pregnancy and continued until the 42nd postnatal day. The blood and ovarian tissue samples of female offspring in sham and EMF groups were collected when they reached the age of 42 days. Follicle-stimulating hormone levels were significantly higher in the EMF group than in the sham group. Estradiol levels were significantly lower in the EMF group than in the sham group. Tissue-inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels and expression were significantly greater in the EMF group than in the sham group. In the EMF group, congestion, bleeding areas, and degeneration of follicle structures were observed in ovarian tissue. The findings suggest that exposure to 50-Hz, 3-mT EMF used in this study during prenatal and postnatal periods may lead to impaired ovarian structure and function in female offspring. EMF may affect ovarian physiology by increasing iNOS levels and may lead to fertility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Acikgoz Burcu
- Department of Physiology, 37508Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ersoy Nevin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, 37508Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aksu Ilkay
- Department of Physiology, 37508Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Kiray Amac
- Department of Anatomy, 37508Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bagriyanik Husnu Alper
- Department of Histology and Embryology, 37508Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Kiray Muge
- Department of Physiology, 37508Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
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Tian J, Hu J, He W, Zhou L, Huang Y. Parental exposure to cadmium chloride causes developmental toxicity and thyroid endocrine disruption in zebrafish offspring. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 234:108782. [PMID: 32339758 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2020.108782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium is a common heavy metal pollutant. Previous studies have found that long-term cadmium exposure can cause damage to multiple organs/systems in humans and experimental animals; however, there are few studies that elucidate its effects on offspring development, discuss whether it can be transmitted to offspring from the parent, and debate whether it affects the functional development of the thyroid hormone system in offsprings. In this study, sexually mature zebrafish were exposed to different concentrations of cadmium chloride (0.01 μmol/L, 0.1 μmol/L, and 1 μmol/L) to study reproductive toxicity. It was found that parental zebrafish exposed to 1 μmol/L of cadmium chloride produced offsprings with different degrees of malformation. At 5 days post-fertilization (dpf), the levels of 3,5,3'-triiododenosine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in the zebrafish were decreased. At 10 dpf, the T4 and T3 levels in the zebrafish of the offspring were significantly reduced. At the same time, the expression of thyroid receptor (trα and trβ) genes in five dpf larvae was significantly up-regulated in the 1 μmol/L treatment group relative to the control group. The mRNAs of thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism-related genes (tshβ, dio1, dio2, ugt1ab, and ttr) were significantly up-regulated in the 0.1 μmol/L and 1 μmol/L treatment groups. This study demonstrates that parental cadmium chloride exposure produces reproductive toxicity in zebrafish and that the effects can be transferred from the parent to the offspring, resulting in developmental toxicity in the thyroid endocrine system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Tian
- Academy for Engineering & Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China; CAS Key Lab of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215163, PR China
| | - Jia Hu
- School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, PR China
| | - Wei He
- Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Children's Health and Diseases, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710003, PR China
| | - Lianqun Zhou
- Academy for Engineering & Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China; CAS Key Lab of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215163, PR China.
| | - Yinong Huang
- Shaanxi Institute of Pediatric Diseases, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Children's Health and Diseases, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710003, PR China.
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Mahaki H, Jabarivasal N, Sardanian K, Zamani A. Effects of Various Densities of 50 Hz Electromagnetic Field on Serum IL-9, IL-10, and TNF-α Levels. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE 2019; 11:24-32. [PMID: 31647056 PMCID: PMC7024597 DOI: 10.15171/ijoem.2020.1572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background: Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are abundantly produced in modern societies. In recent years, interest in the possible effects of ELF-EMFs on the immune system has progressively increased. Objective: To examine the effects of ELF-EMFs with magnetic flux densities of 1, 100, 500, and 2000 µT on the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-9, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Methods: 80 adult male rats were exposed to ELF-EMFs at a frequency of 50 Hz for 2 h/day for 60 days. The serum cytokines were measured at two phases of pre- and post-stimulation of the immune system by human serum albumin (HSA). Results: Serum levels of IL-9 and TNF-α, as pro-inflammatory cytokines, were decreased due to 50 Hz EMFs exposure compared with the controls in the pre- and post-stimulation phases. On the contrary, exposures to 1 and 100 µT 50 Hz EMFs increased the levels of antiinflammatory cytokine, and IL-10 only in the pre-stimulation phase. In the post-stimulation phase, the mean level of serum IL-10 was not changed in the experimental groups. Conclusion: The magnetic flux densities of 1 and 100 µT 50 Hz EMFs had more immunological effects than EMFs with higher densities. Exposure to 50 Hz EMFs may activate anti-inflammatory effects in rats, by down-modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-9 and TNF-α) and induction of the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanie Mahaki
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran; and Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.,Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Naghi Jabarivasal
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Khosro Sardanian
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran; and Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.,Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Alireza Zamani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran; and Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. .,Molecular Immunology Research Group, Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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