Reproductive disorders associated with

There have been some discrepancies between the results of various studies evaluating the reproductive toxicity of different OP compounds. While decreased libido has been observed in men following acute exposures to both OP nerve agents and insecticides, this reproductive effect is most hkely related to the neurobehavioral effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, associated with acute exposures to these chemicals (McDonough and Romano, 2008). Some nerve agents have been associated with post-implantation morbidity and mortahty in laboratory animals (Wismer,... 

In addition, the manifestations of dietary copper deficiency occur in animals that consume diets that contain copper antagonists, such as sulfide ion, molybdenum, zinc, silver, mercury, and cadmium (Evans, 1973). The extent and type of disorders associated with copper deficiency depend on species, age, sex, and severity of deficiency, but the disorders generally include anemia achromotri-chia lesions of the cardiovascular system, lung, skeleton, and central nervous system changes in the growth and appearance of hair, fur, or wool impaired growth and reproductive failure. 

Humans can be exposed to POPs through diet, occupational exposures (for example, farmworkers may be exposed to POPs through pesticides), industrial accidents and the environment (including indoor exposure). Exposure to POPs, either acute or chronic, can be associated with a wide range of adverse health effects, including illness and death (L. Ritter et al., 1995). Laboratory animal studies and wildlife studies have associated POPs with endocrine disruption, reproductive and immune dysfunction, neurobehavioral disorders and cancer. More recently, some POPs have also been connected to reduced immunity in infants and children and a concomitant increase in infections. Other studies have linked POPS concentrations in humans with developmental abnormalities, neurobehavioral impairment and cancer and tumor induction or promotion.4... 

As would be expected, khat overuse produces symptoms similar to those of other monoamine stimulants, such as cocaine or amphetamine, including signs of sympathetic overarousal. In the extreme this can involve a toxic psychosis. Disorders more frequently associated with chronic khat use in males are headaches, anorexia, insomnia, constipation, and respiratory illnesses (Kennedy et al. 1983). Females report higher incidences of acute gastritis, jaundice, bronchitis and hepatic diseases. Also, cathinone has toxic reproductive effects in humans and experimental animals (Islam et al. 1990). It decreases sperm count and motility, and increases the number of abnormal sperm cells. It also decreases plasma testosterone in rats. 

Several studies have examined other possible adverse effects associated with exposure to PCDD/Fs, and these included alteration of thyroid function, gastrointestinal disorders, reproductive problems, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, pulmonary and cardiovascular effects.71,78-88 Many of these effects have been... 

Economic costs for adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes are noteworthy and expected to grow. Annual costs for infertility treatment in the United States exceed one billion dollars (U.S. Congress 1988). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cost to society for developmental defects is massive (i.e., the lifetime costs for children bom annually with 17 of the most common birth defects and cerebral palsy is over 8 billion (CDC 1995)). However, these abnormalities affect only 22% of children with birth defects, and the cost estimate does not consider costs associated with many other developmental disorders. A recent study estimated the total lifetime costs for persons bom in 1996 with mental retardation, autism, or cerebral palsy to be 47 billion, 4.9 billion, and 12 billion, respectively (Honeycutt et al. 1999). 

Piperidinyl and pyrrolidinyl nitric oxide derivatives, (HI), prepared by Anggard(5) were capable of acting both as nitric oxide donors and as scavengers of superoxide ions and used in the treatment of conditions associated with oxidative stress such as neurological disorders, drug- and disease-induced nephropathies, and reproductive disorders. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (polycystic ovaries, hjrper-androgenism, obesity, hirsutism, anovulatory cycles, and menstrual disorders) is more common in women with epilepsy. Valproate has been associated with alterations in reproductive hormonal function beginning in the first month of treatment. Serum androgen concentrations increase in patients taking valproate but the profile of hormonal changes is different in women and men (97). Animal studies have corroborated the adverse ovarian and endocrine effects of valproate (98). Four review articles have dealt with this reported adverse event, highlighting controversial views (99-102). 

As with most alcohol effects, we know less about the chronic effects of alcohol on reproductive functioning in women. The little scientific information available suggests alcohol dependence in women is associated with dysfunction of the ovaries, disruption of the luteal pha.se of fertilization, and amenorrhea (cessation of the menstrual period) (Brands et al., 1998 Mello, 1987 Noicn-Hoeksema, 2004 USDHHS, 1990). A household survey suggests that a woman does not have to be diagnosed as having alcohol dependence to experience impaired sexual function related to alcohol use. A survey of more than 900 women living in households showed a positive correlation between alcohol consumption and the occurrence of dif ferent menstrual disorders (Wilsnack, Klasscn, Wilsnack, 1984). 

The toxic effects associated with chronic exposure to 2,3,7,8-TCDD include chloracne, impaired liver function, peripheral neuropathies, and altered blood chemistry parameters. Other long-term effects may include chromosome damage, heart attacks, reproductive disorders, and cancer, although epidemiologic data regarding these effects are equivocal. Some effects of long-term low-level exposure to dioxins appear to be reversible following cessation of the exposure. 

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