Effect of cadmium exposure during and after pregnancy of female

ABSTRACT

Cadmium is a common environmental pollutant and used for industrial purposes all over the world. Cadmium exposure causes a variety of public health issues, mainly reproductive health. The present review discusses the information related to female reproductive health, including during and after pregnancy and its outcomes. Cadmium alters steroidogenesis, delays puberty, causes pregnancy loss of reproductive hormones, disturbs the menstrual cycle, causes premature births, and reduces birth weights in females. Besides that, their offspring are affected differently by prenatal mother exposure to cadmium, with more female offspring being distressed. During lactation period, nursing babies fed with milk containing cadmium causes disparity in brain physiology, reflex changes and physical immaturity. Together, these reviews highpoint the need for more studies into the consequences of cadmium exposure on reproductive health.

KEYWORDS:

• Birth defect
• cadmium exposure
• female reproduction
• hormonal impairment
• pregnancy outcomes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author’s contribution

ZL conceived the concept and gave direction. WA developed the study’s plan, collected the data and wrote the manuscript. YB, HZ and IHQ supported with the initial draft, review, and editing of the manuscript. The manuscript was modified by JZ and HZ. The final version of the manuscript has received the unanimous approval of all authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 31702305, 31872533, 32072933), and a Project Funded by Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions Priority Academic Program Development (PAPD).