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The Reproductive Toxicology of Pesticides

  • Conference paper
Toxicology of Pesticides

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIH,volume 13))

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Abstract

The successful reproduction of any species depends upon the accurate and orderly integration of genetic, biochemical, physiological, developmental, and functional processes. Any significant interference with the normal functioning of the organism may manifest itself as an adverse effect on reproduction. While this statement is an extremely obvious one, it is important to bear in mind given the design and endpoints of some of the standard protocols used to assess reproductive toxicity. If we strictly define the processes which are essential for mammalian reproduction we may list the following components: genetic integrity; gametogenesis; transportation of the gametes; fertilization; formation of the pre-implantation embryo; maternal hormonal, physiological, and structural alterations necessary for in utero development; implantation of the embryo; placentation; embryogenesis; fetal growth; parturition and the changes necessary for the fetus to assume an independent existence; maternal/neonatal relationship; and postnatal growth and maturation. In a practical (or regulatory) sense, reproductive toxicity is divided into two areas: the potential of agents to adversely affect either structural or functional development (teratogenicity), or any of the other processes listed above (reproductive toxicity).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. United States Environmental Protection Agency, MD-2, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA

    Neil Chernoff

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  1. Neil Chernoff
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health, University of Washington, 98195, Seattle, WA, USA

    Lucio G. Costa  & Sheldon D. Murphy  & 

  2. Institute of Experimental Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, I-20133, Milan, Italy

    Corrado L. Galli

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© 1987 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Chernoff, N. (1987). The Reproductive Toxicology of Pesticides. In: Costa, L.G., Galli, C.L., Murphy, S.D. (eds) Toxicology of Pesticides. NATO ASI Series, vol 13. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70898-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70898-5_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-70900-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-70898-5

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