Targeting Female Reproductive Function during Follicular Maturation, Ovulation, and Fertilization: Critical Windows for Pharmaceutical or Toxicant Action

摘要: The final stages of follicular and oocyte maturation, ovulation, fertilization take place during a narrow window time, typically less than 24 h in rodents. These events, which are prelude to normal embryonic development, can potentially be targeted by environmental contaminants or pharmaceuticals variety ways, resulting infertile reproductive cycles developmental disorders offspring. This chapter synthesizes experimental evidence, where available, for specific compounds targeting preovulatory follicles, the ovulatory process, mature oocytes as they undergo oviduct, either directly through disruption key endocrine signaling pathways. We also point out biologically plausible sites modes potential toxicant-induced insult based upon studies with chemicals. hope this approach will stimulate further research focused on how acute toxicant exposure brief but critical periods development might derail these essential processes female at risk failure.