Ionising radiation is a known leukaemogen and in utero exposure to diagnostic X-rays associates with increased risk of childhood leukaemia (see abstract by R. Wakeford). This paper examines the methodology used by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) to estimate doses to the child following in utero radionuclide exposures, considers experimental evidence for in utero h...

In mammals, the intrauterine condition has an important role in the development of fetal physiological systems in later life. Suboptimal maternal environment can alter the regulatory pathways that determine the normal development of the fetus in utero, which in post-natal life may render the individual more susceptible to cardiovascular or metabolic adult-life diseases. Changes in the intrauter...

OBJECTIVES The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of anxiolytic use in pregnancy, the rate of congenital malformations in neonates at in utero exposure to these agents, and the possible association of congenital malformations with the use of these drugs in pregnancy. METHOD The study was conducted as cross-sectional study. The study was performed at university departments o...

INTRODUCTION It has been suggested that human in utero exposure to heavy metals such as selenium can reduce the prevalence of childhood asthma and allergic diseases. However, data on this topic are scarce. The objective of the present study was to assess the putative associations between maternal selenium level during pregnancy and the risk of asthma, wheezing, allergic rhinitis, and atopic der...

TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, commonly known as dioxin) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant and known endocrine disruptor. Using a mouse model, we previously found that adult female mice exposed in utero to TCDD (F1 generation) as well as multiple subsequent generations (F2-F4) exhibited reduced fertility and an increased incidence of spontaneous preterm birth. Additional stu...

Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) are held in only a few institutions within the United States and the world. The Seattle Aquarium was the first institution to successfully breed and raise captive Northern fur seals from conception to adulthood. The captive group that was the focus of this study consisted of one adult male and five adult females. One female was related to the adult male ...