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Review
. 2023 Nov 3;15(21):4657.
doi: 10.3390/nu15214657.

The Role of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Gestation and Pregnancy Outcomes

Maria Puche-Juarez  1   2   3 , Juan M Toledano  1   2   3 , Jorge Moreno-Fernandez  1   2   4 , Yolanda Gálvez-Ontiveros  2   5 , Ana Rivas  4   5 , Javier Diaz-Castro  1   2   4 , Julio J Ochoa  1   2   4
Affiliations
Review

The Role of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Gestation and Pregnancy Outcomes

Maria Puche-Juarez et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances widely disseminated both in the environment and in daily-life products which can interfere with the regulation and function of the endocrine system. These substances have gradually entered the food chain, being frequently found in human blood and urine samples. This becomes a particularly serious issue when they reach vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, whose hormones are more unstable and vulnerable to EDCs. The proper formation and activity of the placenta, and therefore embryonic development, may get seriously affected by the presence of these chemicals, augmenting the risk of several pregnancy complications, including intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus, among others. Additionally, some of them also exert a detrimental impact on fertility, thus hindering the reproductive process from the beginning. In several cases, EDCs even induce cross-generational effects, inherited by future generations through epigenetic mechanisms. These are the reasons why a proper understanding of the reproductive and gestational alterations derived from these substances is needed, along with efforts to establish regulations and preventive measures in order to avoid exposition (especially during this particular stage of life).

Keywords: advanced maternal age; bisphenols; complications; endocrine disrupting chemical; fertility; gestation; maternal-fetal health; pesticides; phthalates; pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Manuscript selection flowchart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Summary of bisphenols effects on gestational development and complications. The existence of greater controversy on the effect due to contradictory results is indicated with (≠).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Summary of the main effects of PAEs on gestational development and complications. The existence of greater controversy on the effect due to contradictory results is indicated with (≠).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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