In an article published on June 1, 2016 the National Food Institute at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Food) reports on the results of a laboratory animal study examining the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on the female reproductive system. The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Reproductive Toxicology and conducted by researchers Hanna Johansson and colleagues from DTU Food. The researchers exposed rat dams to a mixture of EDCs including phthalates, pesticides, UV-filters, bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7), butylparaben (CAS 94-26-8), as well as paracetamol (PM, CAS 103-90-2). The substances were tested together (Totalmix) or in subgroups with anti-androgenic (AAmix) or estrogenic (Emix) potentials; PM was tested separately. In the offspring, pre-pubertal rats had significantly reduced primordial follicle numbers when exposed to AAmix and PM groups. Also, reduced plasma levels of prolactin were observed in pre-pubertal rats exposed to AAmix. In one-year-old rats, there was a higher incidence of irregular estrous cycles after Totalmix-exposure and reduced ovary weights were observed after exposure to Totalmix, AAmix, and PM groups.
Johannsson and colleagues conclude that these findings resemble premature menopause in humans and thus raise concern regarding the potential effects of EDC mixtures on female reproductive function.
Read more
DTU Food (June 1, 2016). “Endocrine disrupters accelerate reproductive aging in rats.”
Reference
Johansson, H.K.L. et al. (2016). “Perinatal exposure to mixtures of endocrine disrupting chemicals reduces female rat follicle reserves and accelerates reproductive aging.” Reproductive Toxicology 61:186-194.
