Search

Polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are a series of endocrine disruptors (EDCs) generated from industrial production and existing in environment of daily life. PFCs can be accumulated in animal tissues, and perform reproductive toxicity through different mechanisms such as disrupting steroidogenesis, inducing apoptosis of reproductive cells and acting as antagonism of hormone receptors. In male, PFCs were found to be associated with the decreased sperm quality and concentration, and the increased rate of sperm deformation, and to disturb sexual hormones such as testosterone. In female, PFCs increased in blood or follicular fluid were related to the decreased fertility. Moreover, the exposure to PFCs during pregnancy may affect the health and fertility of offspring. The molecular mechanisms of this kind of chemicals have been studied in many animal experiments. In conclusion, we should pay attention to the reproductive toxicity of PFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]