Relationship between lead exposure and endocrine system

In this paper are briefly reviewed the current knowledge on the relationship between lead exposure and the endocrine system. In particular are pointed out the interference of lead on reproductive function both in males and females and the hormonal mechanism involved. Another effect only recently recognized as public health problem regards the supposed interference of lead on somatic growth, even if the results obtained in the field are very conflicting. Our personal studies carried out on children and adolescents have shown a negative relationship between lead and stature as well as with hormones involved in somatic growth, such as LH and FSH. Several other endocrine mechanism to explain the effect of lead on growth are also described. For what concern the thyroid function, from the majority of studies seems that this hormonal activity is affected by lead only for long-term and heavy exposure. Finally the relationship between low lead exposure and blood pressure has been examined as well as the hormonal mechanism involved. The controversial results from literature may be partly accountable to the difficulty to control the several confounding factors affecting the blood pressure.