The mammalian ovary: Concerns about the evaluation of prenatal environmental exposures

• Published in: Current opinion in endocrine and metabolic research Vol. 18; pp. 171 - 177
• Main Authors: Lecante, Laetitia L., Lelandais, Pauline, Mazaud-Guittot, Séverine, Fowler, Paul A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adverse outcome; Development; Ecology, environment; Endocrine-disrupting compounds; Fetus; Health; Life Sciences; Ovary; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Toxicology; AOP; TDS; DOHaD; EDC; PCW; dpp; MIE; POI; REACH; Ovary; PCOS; QSAR; dpc; Development; Fetus; Endocrine-disrupting compounds; Adverse outcome; ODS
• ISSN: 2451-9650; 2451-9650
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coemr.2021.03.012

The number and volume of processed natural or synthetic chemical toxicants introduced on the market have soared over the past decades. Possible human environmental exposures to potentially adverse compounds have, therefore, increased, as has awareness regarding their potential hazard for reproduction. Concomitantly, the number of couples seeking assisted reproduction has climbed sharply. Toxicant risk assessment represents a concern at both individual and population and socioeconomic levels. Here, we review current methods used to assess impacts of prenatal environmental exposures on mammalian ovary development and female reproductive function. We highlight technical challenges that need to be overcome in a regulatory context and the necessity for the development of guidelines and policies to better characterise potentially deleterious substances for the female reproductive function.