ABSTRACT
The action of toxic substances on the female pelvic reproductive organs usually produces disruption of reproductive cycles and/or infertility, often by disturbance to sex hormone metabolism, or their receptors in reproductive organs. Attention must also be drawn to the definitions of “toxic” and “toxicity”, as applied to the female reproductive system. Inherent in the usual meaning of these terms is the concept of damage, rather than just altered physiological functions. Thus, agents inducing the death of oocytes are clearly toxins. It is less clear that the action of agents altering peristalsis or cilial action in the oviducts falls within the realm of “toxicity”, though if the end result is failure of implantation and death of a blastocyst, it is probably justified. Ovotoxins may destroy oocytes at any age and lead to decreased reproductive capacity and/or premature ovarian failure. Toxic effects of specific agents may be confined to a particular part of the reproductive system, or may have multiple actions.
