Effects of xenobiotics and phytotoxins on reproduction in food animals

Authors: Panter, Kip; Stegelmeier, Bryan

Submitted to: Veterinary Clinics of North America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/9/2011
Publication Date: 7/1/2011
Citation: Panter, K.E., Stegelmeier, B.L. 2011. Effects of xenobiotics and phytotoxins on reproduction in food animals. Veterinary Clinics of North America. 27(2):429-46.

Interpretive Summary: The influence of natural toxicants and anthropogenic compounds on reproduction in food animals is significant in its economic impact. Confounding factors such as stress, nutritional status, season of the year, animal species involved, genetic variability, disease conditions, management factors, etc. exacerbate the difficulty of making an accurate diagnosis and thereby may impede progress to improve reproductive performance on an individual operation. The interaction between the reproductive system, and xenobiotics (reproductive toxicology) is a relatively new area of study and a subject of increasing interest, especially in the area of environmental exposures and potential work place toxicants affecting human health and reproduction. The purpose of this study is to summarize the experimental literature about this subject including rodent models designed to replicate food animal and human exposure. As the list reproductive toxins list is extensive and represents many of the chemicals in our environment, those discussed are used as examples of both toxicity and mechanisms.

Technical Abstract: The influence of natural toxicants and anthropogenic compounds on reproduction in food animals is significant in its economic impact. Confounding factors such as stress, nutritional status, season of the year, animal species involved, genetic variability, disease conditions, management factors, etc. exacerbate the difficulty of making an accurate diagnosis and thereby may impede progress to improve reproductive performance on an individual operation. The interaction between the reproductive system, and xenobiotics (reproductive toxicology) is a relatively new area of study and a subject of increasing interest, especially in the area of environmental exposures and potential work place toxicants affecting human health and reproduction. The purpose of this study is to summarize the experimental literature about this subject including rodent models designed to replicate food animal and human exposure. As the list reproductive toxins list is extensive and represents many of the chemicals in our environment, those discussed are used as examples of both toxicity and mechanisms.