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Reproductive toxicology studies the effects of chemicals on human reproduction, including infertility, birth defects, and disorders. Environmental toxins may cause defects in the brainstem, lower hormone levels, and infertility. Researchers study the effects of drugs on pregnant women to prevent harm to babies and provide insight into the human body.
Reproductive toxicology is the study and treatment of chemicals and their effects on human reproduction. This may include studying the causes of infertility, the effect certain substances have on eggs and sperm cells, and the potential effects these substances have on offspring. There are many studies indicating that chemicals used in food, medicines and the environment can have a direct impact on reproductive health.
One of the main aspects of reproductive toxicology is to study the potential effects that chemicals and environmental toxins can have on human offspring. Some birth defects and disorders are believed to be a direct result of certain chemicals used in many families. Other conditions can also come as a direct result of the toxins. One example that has been studied is the cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Babies who have died of SIDS have been shown to have a defect in the brainstem. They have also been shown to have lower levels of the hormone serotonin, which controls many aspects of bodily function. Some researchers are looking at toxins that can be ingested by the mother during pregnancy as the culprit causing this malformation in the brainstem.
Another focus in reproductive toxicology is on fertility. It is speculated that environmental chemicals may play a role in the surge in infertility cases. This could be because the toxins cause defects in the female’s eggs or male’s sperm, or by making the mother’s body less hospitable to a growing fetus. Studies are also underway to determine if there is a link between some cancers and other diseases and the use of certain chemicals during pregnancy. Some believe that substances used by the mother during the vulnerable period of fetal development may predispose some people to later health problems.
Researchers also track and study the effects certain drugs have on pregnant women when they occur. This is a challenging task, since a pregnant woman would not willingly endanger her baby for the sake of research. This means that researchers must find and document the results of women who took certain drugs out of necessity to find out if any adverse effects occurred. One example is a drug once used for morning sickness that was later found to cause infertility in babies born to mothers who used it.
By studying reproductive toxicology, scientists could one day help parents prevent some birth defects, prevent long-term harm to babies even after birth, and help couples who otherwise could not conceive to have a child. It can also provide insight into the delicate workings of the human body and how it is affected by chemicals in the early stages of development.
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