Teratogenesis and Reproductive Toxicology

Book excerpt: The resolution of links between exposure to components of our complex environmental and causation of reproductive effects in the population constitutes an important problem in the field of toxicology. The focus of this volume is developmental toxicology, which represents one aspect of reproductive toxicology dealing with the study of adverse effects on the developing conceptus. Developmental toxicology, which includes teratogenesis as one of its manifesta tions, provides a fertile field for research in several basic and clinical disciplines; this field also receives input from several disoiplines such as developmental and molecu lar biology, pathology, pharmacology and toxicology, pediatrics and neonatology, and epidemiology. More recently we h~ve seen an emergence of interest in other fields such as perinatal physiology and postnatal behavior which have now become incorporated into the mainstream of research in this discipline. The present volume is an effort to provide a sampling of concepts currently under active investigation in several of the above fields. The authors have endeavored to provide up-to-date in formation on the following topics: detection and analysis of potential hazards to the conceptus in the workplace, pharmacokinetic aspects of the maternal/placental! fetal complex and its relationship to human birth defects, and probable mechanisms of teratogenesis as uncovered in certain well-defined situations. Also included are summaries of newer investigations on the emerging field of postnatal functional evaluations, i. e. , adverse effects on adult activities resultant from in utero exposure to toxic substances.