Damaging effects of ecologically unfavorable environmental factors on the health of descendants

Aim. To determine the possible damaging effects of ecologically unfavorable environmental factors (radiation and chemical) on the health of descendants. Methods. The cross-sectional study included 232 women of the Altai territory, who were divided into three groups: the first group included the descendants of persons who were in the area of radiation exposure, the second one - the descendants of chemical workers, the third group was the control group. As part of the expedition trip to the study areas, the collection of clinical and anamnestic data, the study of extragenital, gynecological morbidity, laboratory and functional methods of research were carried out. Results. The data were obtained confirming the most damaging effect on reproductive health in the descendants of persons who were in the area of radiation exposure. It was the first group where the high frequency of extragenital and gynecological pathology was revealed. At the same time, the reproductive function of women, closely related to functional changes in the immune system, was disordered. The results of the study of a number of parameters of the immune system revealed changes in the functioning of cellular immunity, increase in the level of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor), mainly in the descendants of persons who were in the area of radiation exposure, in contrast to the descendants of workers of chemical production and control group. Conclusion. A comparative assessment of some health parameters of descendants of persons exposed to radiation and chemical factors showed that the most damaging effect on the reproductive health of descendants is caused by radiation factor.