Affect the Reproductive System

TABLE 5.17 Examples of Chemical Compounds that Affect the Reproductive System... 

Exercise is not without risks these include sudden cardiac death, hyperthermia, hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, hypo-natraemia, a reduction in the effectiveness of the immune system, overuse injury and interference in the reproductive system in females. Whether severe physical activity affects the reproductive system in males is sometimes discussed but these are no reports in the scientific literature. 

Sex hormones are hormones that affect the reproductive system. 

Anthony MS, Clarkson TB, Hughs CL Jr, Morgan TM, Burke GL. Soybean isoflavones improve cardiovascular risk factors without affecting the reproductive system of peripubertal rhesus monkeys. J. Nutr. 126, 43-50, 1996. 

Endocrine and Reproductive Effects. Because the male and female reproductive organs are under complex neuroendocrine and hormonal control, any toxicant that alters any of these processes can affect the reproductive system (see Chapters 17 and 20). In addition metals can act directly on the sex organs. Cadmium is known to produce testicular injury after acute exposure, and lead accumulation in the testes is associated with testicular degeneration, inhibition of spermatogenesis, and Leydig-cell atrophy. 

Compounds classified as harmful or toxic in these routes of exposure must be handled with specific procedures and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) in almost all phases of their manipulation during chemical processes. Compounds classified as highly toxic, highly sensitizing, carcinogenic, or affecting the reproductive system should be used in sealed areas or closed systems with no possible exposure to humans by any route. 

Of the 10000 or so chemicals in the environment that are suspected of endocrine disruption, several are of particular importance due to their potential significant impact on human health, and the prevalence of use of the compounds. These are the range of antibiotics for human and veterinary uses and hormones, synthetic and natural, known to affect the reproductive system of humans. Although the studies have been relatively few in number, activated carbon adsorption appears to be one of the best available technologies for the removal of these compounds [57—60]. 

Reproductive toxins pose a danger to both male and female workers. They can cause gene mutations and affect the reproductive system by affecting sperm count in males or fertility in females. Teratogens are chemicals that affect the offspring. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), cadmium, and methyl mercury are known reproductive teratotoxins. 

Glycogen phosphorylase phosphatase is involved in carbohydrate metabolism of S. mansoni and inhibition of this enzyme by niridazple ultimately affects the reproductive system of the female schistoscmie. 

Reproductive toxins. Affect the reproductive system, causing mutations, birth defects, and sterility. Examples lead, polynuclear aromatic compounds, cadmium, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol (81). 

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