*3.3.1 Male reproductive disorders*

Over the past several years, male reproductive health has been on the decline with the increase incidence of congenital malformations and poor semen quality [23, 40]. Experimental and epidemiological studies support the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to EDCs with estrogenic and/or antiandrogenic activity (e.g., diethylstilbestrol, bisphenol A, and phthalates) may disrupt the secretion and/or action of two Leydig cell hormones (testosterone and insulin-like peptide 3) regulating testicular descent, leading to cryptorchidism in newborn (**Figure 6**) [40].

**373**

**Figure 7.**

*Human Health Consequences of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals*

*Maternal exposure to EDCs may predispose to cryptorchidism in newborn.*

The first clinical warning with EDCs came from diethylstilbestrol, a potent estrogen mimic, given to millions of women 50–80 years ago to prevent miscarriage. A large number of children exposed *in utero* to this chemical developed genital malformations and cancers (e.g., vaginal adenocarcinoma) while the exposed

Exposure during pregnancy to several EDCs (e.g., bisphenol A and phthalates) is associated with inflammatory cytokine levels in maternal and neonatal circulation

Exposure to some EDCs (e.g., dioxins, organochlorines, arsenic, and cadmium) may promote the occurrence of different cancers including thyroid cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, and lymphoma

mothers had an increased risk for developing breast cancer [3, 38].

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94955*

*3.3.2 Female reproductive disorders*

**3.4 Cancers**

**Figure 6.**

and increased risk of low birth weight [25, 41].

(**Figure 7**) [2–4, 10, 12, 13, 18, 21, 22, 38, 44, 45].

*EDCs can promote the occurrence of different types of cancer.*

**Figure 6.** *Maternal exposure to EDCs may predispose to cryptorchidism in newborn.*
