Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead

Heavy metals are ubiquitously found entities that not only damage the vital organs of the body but also play a negative role in causing damage to the reproductive organs of the body. This chapter deals with the occurrence and mechanism of toxicity of arsenic, cadmium, and lead mainly focusing on the male and female reproductive organs and the developing organism. The reproductive toxicity study deals with the target of the metals in the gonads, whereas the developmental toxicity covers the effects of the metals on the fertilized ovum, embryo, fetus, and offspring. This chapter also deals with the molecular mechanism of the toxic manifestations generated by the three metals/metalloids. Chelating therapy plays a major role in the treatment of toxicity caused by acute and chronic metal poisoning. Thus, the chapter also discusses the possible effective treatments such as the role of antioxidants and treatment with an effective chelator against the embryotoxic and teratogenic effects.