Abstract

TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachorodibenzo-p-dioxin) is a common environmental pollutant causing public concern. The administration of TCDD for experimental animals causes serious biological effect including reproductive, developmental and carcinogenic effect. Accumulated knowledge revealed reproductive interference of TCDD is cause not only by the alteration for hypothalamo-pituital hormonal regulation, but also by direct effect for ovarian function. In this review, the direct effect of TCDD on ovarian function is briefly reviewed. TCDD exert its inhibitory effect on steroidogenic enzyme expression and gonadotropin receptor expression.

Keywords: Ovary, Granulosa cells, TCDD, Gonadotropin receptors, Signal transduction