Adverse Effects of EDCs on Female Reproductive Organs

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous chemical substances or mixtures that interfere with synthesis, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action, or elimination of natural endocrine hormones that are present in the body [1]. EDCs are widespread and one of component in persistent pesticides, herbicides, biocides, heat stabilizers, and chemical catalysts, plastic contaminants, pharmaceuticals, or dietary materials. Many EDCs are weakly estrogenic and elicit their actions through the estrogen receptors. The two mammalian receptors for estrogen (ER-α and ER-β) are widely distributed throughout the female reproductive tract [2,3]. Therefore, actions of estrogenic EDCs on estrogen receptors may promote abnormalities in estrogen receptor-present female organs such as ovary, uterus, breast, and placenta.