Signs of the possible harm of air pollution in development.

What is it about?

The systematic modifications in the maternal thyroid hormones (THs) levels during pregnancy are needed to get a regular fetal and neonatal development. Air pollution includes a complicated mixture of liquids, gases, and particulate matter (PM10, 2.5 or 0.1 mm). All humans are exposed to the pollutions in particular in low- and middle-income countries. Exposure to ambient PM2.5 pollution during the gestation can increase the risk of adverse gestational outcome including the preterm birth and low birth weight. Exposure women to airborne PM2.5 during pregnancy can disrupt the activities of free thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH) and contribute to decrease the birth weight. Moreover, PM exposure in rats can perturb the action of hypothalamic–pituitary– thyroid axis (HPTA). Exposure pregnant to urbane air might induce premature deaths. These variations may be attributed to PM exposure during the gestation can increase the activity of glucocorticoid suppressing the release of TSH. Also, the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids can induce the response of a systemic oxidative stress and elevate the placental protein-bound 3-nitrotyrosine. Alternatively, PM2.5 can enter the lungs and blood circulation, where they may prompt the release of oxidative stress resulting in several neurodevelopment complications. Thus, air pollutants may act as developmental endocrine disruptors perturbing the actions of HPTA and may delay the development and growth. This disturbance during gestation may increase the fetal and neonatal complications including teratogenic outcomes, preterm birth, and several brain disorders. Additional investigation is required to assess possible outcomes later in life.

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Why is it important?

Air pollutants may act as developmental endocrine disruptors perturbing the actions of HPTA and may delay the development and growth. This disturbance during gestation may increase the fetal and neonatal complications including teratogenic outcomes, preterm birth, and several brain disorders.

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