Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Lead in Human Populations

Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Lead in Human Populations 

This chapter presents the toxicological evidence for lead as a potent reproductive and intrauterine developmental toxicant. Sections of the chapter deal with male and female gametotoxicity, embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity, and various gross indices of fetal injury such as spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal survival. Prenatal developmental effects as they affect the whole organism are presented here, while prenatal effects on various systems and organs are discussed in system- and organ-specific chapters. For example, developmental neurotoxicity of lead as it occurs in utero is discussed in Chapter 12. 

By the first decade of the twentieth century, recognition of reproductive and prenatal harm and subsequent responses greatly reduced the adverse effects of lead in utero during worker pregnancies through constraints on women of childbearing age in the lead workplace. In particular, the prevalence and incidence of such gross Pb toxicity outcomes as spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and depressed early natal survival declined markedly. 

It would be incorrect to assume that lead s adverse impacts on reproductive competence and prenatal health and development in human populations is mainly a matter of historical medical interest because current environmental 

Trace Metals and other Contaminants in the Environment, Volume 10 

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