Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pregnancy

The increasing prevalence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in our environment is a worrying situation for the global population health. In recent years, significant attention has been paid to endocrine disruptors, thus, the European Society of Endocrinology, together with the Society of Endocrinology, urges to increase awareness of their influence on the human body. The aim of the study is to identify the influence of endocrine disruptors in pregnancy, in order to prevent the negative impact on the maternal-fetal environment. The study was carried out based on the detailed analysis and synthesis of the literature, and identification of articles published in international scientific databases. To achieve the goal, the following search engines were used: PubMed, Google Academic, ResearchGate, SpringerLink and ScienceDirect, using the keywords: „endocrine disruptors”, „pregnancy”, „impact”. We have selected full text articles. Several pathways have been identified to alter the hormonal response. Endocrine disruptors affect pregnancy at any stage, by generating inflammation and oxidative stress at the tissue level, associated with failure of embryo implantation, morphopathological changes of the placenta, recurrent miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction of the fetus, and premature labor. In addition, these substances can induce the development of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, some of them being associated with the degree of severity of preeclampsia. Thus, the impact of exposure to endocrine disruptors in pregnancy involves disruption of maternal, placental, and fetal hormonal homeostasis.