M7.8 Topic of Interest

My topic of interest is the effects of chemical exposure on our reproductive health. For example, Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen that was widely used in the 1930’s  to prevent miscarriages has shown to have adverse health effects. In mice for example, it has shown to increase the rates of cancer in breast, uterus, vaginal, and ovarian tissue. that the offspring of mice exposed to DES had increased rates of cancer in breast, uterus, vaginal, and ovarian tissue. In humans, a similar pattern has also been shown. Females exposed to DES in utero had abnormal reproductive organs, and had increase rates of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers. Males who were exposed to DES had increased rates of testicular cancer and fertility problems.

Another example, Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is another common chemical that is still being manufactured today. High levels of PCB in fat tissue of mice are known to suppressed immune system and cause deformities of the uterus and of the fallopian tubes. The production of different consumer products has exposed Humans to different levels of PCBs which accumulate in breast  tissue and is present in breast milk.

My literature review focuses on the exposure of pesticides and its reproductive health effects on individuals working in farm fields.