Cryptorchidism and endocrine disrupting chemicals

: Virtanen HE, Adamsson A

Publisher: ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD

: 2012

: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology

: Cryptorchidism and endocrine disrupting chemicals

: MOL CELL ENDOCRINOL

: 2

: 355

: 2

: 208

: 220

: 13

: 0303-7207

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2011.11.015(external)

Prospective clinical studies have suggested that the rate of congenital cryptorchidism has increased since the 1950s. It has been hypothesized that this may be related to environmental factors. Testicular descent occurs in two phases controlled by Leydig cell-derived hormones insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) and testosterone. Disorders in fetal androgen production/action or suppression of Insl3 are mechanisms causing cryptorchidism in rodents. In humans, prenatal exposure to potent estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) has been associated with increased risk of cryptorchidism. In addition, epidemiological studies have suggested that exposure to pesticides may also be associated with cryptorchidism. Some case-control studies analyzing environmental chemical levels in maternal breast milk samples have reported associations between cryptorchidism and chemical levels. Furthermore, it has been suggested that exposure levels of some chemicals may be associated with infant reproductive hormone levels. (c) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.