Ovotoxic environmental chemicals: Indirect endocrine disruptors

Reproductive function in women can be compromised by exposure to toxic chemicals.[1] Couples are postponing the start of a family because of the increasing number of women pursuing a career. These recent trends have enhanced an awareness of chemicals in the workplace and the environment, and their impact on the life span of reproductive function. A variety of considerations can affect fertility in women who are older when beginning a family, and women with fertility problems may not discover them until their reproductive life span is waning. In addition to a generally reduced quality of oocytes with age,[2] more years of exposure to environmental influences can also have a potential effect. In considering the risk of environmental exposures on reproductive function and women’s health, special attention should be paid to those chemicals with the potential to impair ovarian function, because the ovary is critical to normal reproduction.