Investigating How Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Alters Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology in Males and Females

Abstract

Background: EDCs act on hormonal signaling networks and thus influence reproductive tract development and function in male and female. EDCs are compounds quite popular in plastics, pesticides, and personal care products, which mess up hormonal control causing reproductive problems such as low fertility, developmental problems, and increased susceptibility to reproductive diseases.

Objectives: To examine the impact of EDC exposure on male and female reproductive anatomy and physiology, specifically assessing hormonal and developmental changes due to such exposure.

Study Design: Across-sectional observational study.

Palace and Duration of the Study: Department of Physiology, Saidu Medical College, Swat KP – Pakistan from June 2021 to June 2022

Methodology: In this study, a sample of 150 patients was selected in a study sample: 80 males and 70 females. Information on participants ‘reproductive health characteristics namely hormone levels and anatomic abnormalities was obtained through biochemical tests and visual examination. Descriptive analyses used means accompanied by SDs, and inferential analyses used p-values; the results were compared with subgroups of participants characterized by their exposure to particular EDCs.

Results: Among males, hormone levels, including testosterone, showed a significant decline (mean ± SD: 15. In all of them r ranged from 2.0 to 2.3 (mean r = 2 ± 4.5, p< 0.05) indicated the correlation with the elevated EDC exposure. Females demonstrated structural changes in ovarian morphology (mean ± SD: 2.8 ± 0.8, p<0.01). There was a marked oscillation in reproductive traits of the occupationally high EDC exposed group for endorsing the distinct anatomical and physiological sequelae (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This work also revealed that EDC exposure influenced reproductive health in both male and female through hormonal changes and reproductive morphophysiological alterations. This implies that there is need to reduce the exposure of EDCs so as to reduce the risk on human reproductive health.