Human Reproduction Update, Vol.6, No.4 pp.332-350, 2000
© European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2000; all rights reserved
Cellular and biochemical mechanisms by which environmental oestrogens influence reproductive function
1 University Hospital Zurich, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinic for Endocrinology, Zurich, Switzerland, 2 Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Marinella Rosselli, University Hospital Zurich, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinic for Endocrinology, 8091-Zurich, Switzerland. Tel: 41-1-255-5368; Fax: 41-1-255-4439; e-mail: mari{at}fhk.smtp.usz.ch
Abstract
The biology and physiology of the male as well as female reproductive system is hormonally regulated. Abnormalities in the dynamics of hormone production, metabolism and elimination, as well as their binding to certain target tissues, has been associated with pathophysiological conditions of the reproductive system. Although oestrogens are known to be one of the major hormone groups in regulating the reproductive function and the fertilization process, the cellular and biochemical mechanism or mechanism(s) via which oestrogens induce their effects are still not fully defined. Moreover, in a modern environment we are also exposed to a wide battery of environmental agents which are structurally similar to oestrogens, and termed `environmental oestrogens'. Because environmental oestrogens have been shown to mimic some of the effects of oestradiol, it has been postulated that these exogenous chemicals may influence or interfere with the oestrogen-dependent reproductive processes, and may be associated with beneficial as well as deleterious effects on the reproductive system. In this regard, two classes of environmental oestrogens have been widely studied, i.e. phyto-oestrogens (plant-derived dietary oestrogens) and xeno-oestrogens (industrial chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls, DDT, TCDD, dioxins, etc.). The main focus of this review is to provide an overview on the cellular and biochemical mechanism(s) by which xeno-oestrogens and phyto-oestrogens influence the oestrogen-dependent reproductive functions and induce their deleterious or protective effects on the reproductive system.
Key words: biochemical and cellular mechanisms / environmental oestrogens / exposure / reproductive function
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