Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on epigenetic regulation in the uterus: a narrative review
Abstract Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous in the environment and have been shown to interfere with the endocrine system, leading to adverse effects on reproductive health. In females, EDC exposure has been linked to menstrual irregularities, infertility, and pregnancy complicatio...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-025-01413-z |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850243072931135488 |
|---|---|
| author | Yinjing Liang Qinsheng Lu Miaojuan Chen Xiaomiao Zhao Chu Chu Chaofan Zhang Jianhuan Yuan Huimin Liu Gendie E. Lash |
| author_facet | Yinjing Liang Qinsheng Lu Miaojuan Chen Xiaomiao Zhao Chu Chu Chaofan Zhang Jianhuan Yuan Huimin Liu Gendie E. Lash |
| author_sort | Yinjing Liang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous in the environment and have been shown to interfere with the endocrine system, leading to adverse effects on reproductive health. In females, EDC exposure has been linked to menstrual irregularities, infertility, and pregnancy complications. Epigenetic regulation, which involves modifications to DNA and histones that do not alter the underlying genetic code, plays a crucial role in female reproduction. EDCs have been shown to disrupt epigenetic mechanisms, leading to changes in gene expression that can have long-term effects on reproductive outcomes. Several EDCs, including bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have been shown to alter DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications in female reproductive tissues. These changes can lead to altered expression of genes involved in ovarian function, implantation, and placental development. Here, we integrate epidemiological and experimental evidence from the last 20 years to profile the types of diseases that EDCs trigger in the female reproductive system in relation to the uterus, and the corresponding molecular mechanisms that have been studied. In addition, this review will outline the state of knowledge of EDC epigenetic regulation in the uterus and how it impacts reproductive health, as well as identify areas for future research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-24dc1870a4494f7d8faaa68a5b6fd16e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1477-7827 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology |
| spelling | doaj-art-24dc1870a4494f7d8faaa68a5b6fd16e2025-08-20T02:00:06ZengBMCReproductive Biology and Endocrinology1477-78272025-05-0123112010.1186/s12958-025-01413-zImpact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on epigenetic regulation in the uterus: a narrative reviewYinjing Liang0Qinsheng Lu1Miaojuan Chen2Xiaomiao Zhao3Chu Chu4Chaofan Zhang5Jianhuan Yuan6Huimin Liu7Gendie E. Lash8Division of Uterine Vascular Biology, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child HealthDivision of Uterine Vascular Biology, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child HealthDivision of Uterine Vascular Biology, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child HealthDepartment of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityDepartment of Gynecology, The First Huizhou Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical UniversityDepartment of Gynecology, The First Huizhou Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical UniversityDivision of Uterine Vascular Biology, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child HealthAbstract Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous in the environment and have been shown to interfere with the endocrine system, leading to adverse effects on reproductive health. In females, EDC exposure has been linked to menstrual irregularities, infertility, and pregnancy complications. Epigenetic regulation, which involves modifications to DNA and histones that do not alter the underlying genetic code, plays a crucial role in female reproduction. EDCs have been shown to disrupt epigenetic mechanisms, leading to changes in gene expression that can have long-term effects on reproductive outcomes. Several EDCs, including bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have been shown to alter DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications in female reproductive tissues. These changes can lead to altered expression of genes involved in ovarian function, implantation, and placental development. Here, we integrate epidemiological and experimental evidence from the last 20 years to profile the types of diseases that EDCs trigger in the female reproductive system in relation to the uterus, and the corresponding molecular mechanisms that have been studied. In addition, this review will outline the state of knowledge of EDC epigenetic regulation in the uterus and how it impacts reproductive health, as well as identify areas for future research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-025-01413-zEndocrine disrupting chemicalsEndometrial hyperplasiaEndometriosisUterusEpigenetic regulation |
| spellingShingle | Yinjing Liang Qinsheng Lu Miaojuan Chen Xiaomiao Zhao Chu Chu Chaofan Zhang Jianhuan Yuan Huimin Liu Gendie E. Lash Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on epigenetic regulation in the uterus: a narrative review Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology Endocrine disrupting chemicals Endometrial hyperplasia Endometriosis Uterus Epigenetic regulation |
| title | Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on epigenetic regulation in the uterus: a narrative review |
| title_full | Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on epigenetic regulation in the uterus: a narrative review |
| title_fullStr | Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on epigenetic regulation in the uterus: a narrative review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on epigenetic regulation in the uterus: a narrative review |
| title_short | Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on epigenetic regulation in the uterus: a narrative review |
| title_sort | impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals edcs on epigenetic regulation in the uterus a narrative review |
| topic | Endocrine disrupting chemicals Endometrial hyperplasia Endometriosis Uterus Epigenetic regulation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-025-01413-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yinjingliang impactofendocrinedisruptingchemicalsedcsonepigeneticregulationintheuterusanarrativereview AT qinshenglu impactofendocrinedisruptingchemicalsedcsonepigeneticregulationintheuterusanarrativereview AT miaojuanchen impactofendocrinedisruptingchemicalsedcsonepigeneticregulationintheuterusanarrativereview AT xiaomiaozhao impactofendocrinedisruptingchemicalsedcsonepigeneticregulationintheuterusanarrativereview AT chuchu impactofendocrinedisruptingchemicalsedcsonepigeneticregulationintheuterusanarrativereview AT chaofanzhang impactofendocrinedisruptingchemicalsedcsonepigeneticregulationintheuterusanarrativereview AT jianhuanyuan impactofendocrinedisruptingchemicalsedcsonepigeneticregulationintheuterusanarrativereview AT huiminliu impactofendocrinedisruptingchemicalsedcsonepigeneticregulationintheuterusanarrativereview AT gendieelash impactofendocrinedisruptingchemicalsedcsonepigeneticregulationintheuterusanarrativereview |