Reproductive Health
Description
Reproductive health refers to the diseases, disorders and conditions that affect the functioning of the male and female reproductive systems during all stages of life. Disorders of reproduction include birth defects, developmental disorders, low birth weight, preterm birth, reduced fertility, impotence, and menstrual disorders. Research has shown that exposure to environmental pollutants may pose the greatest threat to reproductive health. Exposure to lead is associated with reduced fertility in both men and women, while mercury exposure has been linked to birth defects and neurological disorders. A growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to endocrine disruptors, chemicals that appear to disrupt hormonal activity in humans and animals, may contribute to problems with fertility, pregnancy, and other aspects of reproduction.
Health Studies & Clinical Trials
- DES Study
- Early Pregnancy Study
- Fibroid Growth Study
- Norway Facial Clefts Study
- Postpartum Uterine Regression Study
What NIEHS is Doing on Reproductive Health
- NTP panel reviews outcomes of women treated for cancer while pregnant (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/11/science-ntp/index.htm)
- 12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC)
- Addressing New Challenges in Children’s Environmental Health (314KB)
- Alcohol Binges Early in Pregnancy Increase Risk of Infant Oral Clefts
- Asthma and Wheeze in Young Women Taking Oral Contraceptives
- Bisphenol A (BPA) (455KB)
- Bisphenol A (BPA): Expanding Research to Impact Human Health
- Bromodichloromethane and Pregnancy Loss
- Child Development and Environmental Toxins (633KB)
- Consumption of Foods with High Soy Content is Associated with Lower Sperm Concentrations in Men
- Cystic Fibrosis
- DDT and DDE: Second Generation Time to Pregnancy Effects
- Early Exposure to DES Causes Genetic Reprogramming Leading to Increases in Benign Uterine Tumors
- Early Exposure of Mice to DES Causes Developmental and Sperm Function Deficits
- Epigenetic studies can shed light on causes underlying complex disease (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/10/science-epigenetics/index.htm)
- Estrogen Regulation of Antioxidant Response Element-Dependent Gene Expression
- Fetal Leydig Cell Protein Regulates Sertoli Cell Proliferation
- Flame Retardant Linked to Decreased Thyroid Hormone Levels in Pregnant Women
- Flame Retardants Linked to Reduced Human Fertility
- Folic Acid Deficiency and Late Gestation Brain Development in Mice
- Folic Acid Intake and Arsenic Biotransformation in Mice
- Genes Regulated by Estrogen Predict Survival in Hormone-Positive Breast Cancers
- Genetic Stress and Toxicant-Induced Pregnancy Disruption
- Gene Variations and the Risk of Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate
- Hormones and Cancer Highlights NIEHS/NTP Paper (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/4/science-hormonesandcancer/index.htm)
- In Utero Bisphenol A Exposure Leads to Abnormal Egg Development
- Lead and Age Reduce the Fertilizing Ability of Sperm
- Male Infertility may be Caused by Epigenetic Abnormalities
- Maternal Dietary Supplementation Counteracts Bisphenol A-Induced Epigenetics Changes
- Phthalate Exposure May Extend Pregnancy
- Plastic Compounds and Birth Control Estrogen Cause Prostate Abnormalities in Mice
- Possible Mechanism Between Maternal Smoking and Childhood Illness Found (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/9/science-mechanism/index.htm)
- Pregnancies at Risk from September 11th Debris
- Quality of Sperm Declines as Men Age
- Radiation-Induced Male Sterility is Due to Damage in the Somatic Testicular Cells and Not the Spermatogonia
- Reproductive Toxicity (http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/sbrp/research/research5_s6.cfm)
- Researchers Call for Changes in Policy and Reproductive Healthcare (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/4/spotlight-reproductivehealth/index.htm)
- Researchers Explore Transgenerational Effects of Ancestral Exposures (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/6/science-transgenerational/index.htm)
- Rice consumption and arsenic exposure in pregnant women
- Role of Environmental Chemicals in Diabetes and Obesity: A National Toxicology Program Workshop Report (http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1104597)
- Secretion and Decreased Steroidogenic Enzyme Gene Expression in Leydig Cells
- Semen Quality Lower in Men from Rural Areas-Part II
- Semen Quality Lower in Men when Mother's Beef Consumption High During Pregnancy
- Since You Asked - Bisphenol A: Questions and Answers about the Draft National Toxicology Program Brief on Bisphenol A
- Sperm Abnormalities in Men Exposed to PCBs and PCDFs
- Study finds that dad’s job can influence birth defects (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/10/science-dadsjob/index.htm)
- The Importance of Calcium Entry in Mammalian Reproduction (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/4/science-calcium/index.htm)
- Uterine Fibroid Study (UFS)
Back to topGeneral Information
- Birth Defects: March of Dimes - Good starting point for background information on types of birth defects, learning about the roles genes play in birth defects, how to obtain genetic testing and counseling and other useful guidance.
- Birth Defects: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities - Research focuses on identifying the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities and how to help children fulfill their potential. The site also offers kids pages and a Spanish language version.
- Birth Defects: Research for Children - Comprehensive source of fact sheets and information resources. A free, monthly online newsletter, Birth Defects News, that highlights the latest advances in research.
- Cervical Cancer
- Children's Environmental Health Network - A national, multi-disciplinary organization whose mission is to protect the fetus and child from environmental health hazards and promote a healthy environment. The CEHN Resource Guide includes a directory of organizations active in children's environmental health issues and a compendium of statistical data sources.
- DES Action - A consumer organization dedicated to informing the public about DES and helping DES-exposed individuals. Besides a quarterly newsletter, DES Action Voice, the group provides a physician and attorney referral list.
- DES Cancer Network - A network for women with clear cell cancer. Provides a forum for information exchange, education, and mutual support. Includes a good list of helpful resources.
- DES Update - Published by the CDC, this Web site has sections geared towards consumers (DES self-assessment, understanding its impact on health) and healthcare providers (pharmacology, managing DES patients, etc).
- Environmental Diseases from A to Z (4MB)
- Environmental Factors and Breast Cancer Risk (1MB)
- Environmental Health Perspectives, Environews by Topic: Reproductive Toxicity and Health
- Linking Early Environmental Exposures to Adult Diseases (1014KB)
- Prostate Cancer
- Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms: Birth Defect
- Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms: Family History
- Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms: Inherited
- Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms: Risk
- Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms: Sex Chromosome
- Uterine Fibroids
For Educators
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Are EDCs Blurring Issues of Gender? (324KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Beauty or the Beast? (154KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Lead and Mercury: Comparing Two Environmental Evils (311KB)
- EHP Student Edition Lesson: Soy: Filling in the Gaps (146KB)
