Nickel Toxicity with Reference to Female Reproductive Physiology, Pregnancy and Teratogenesis: A Brief Review

Nickel has been known to adversely affect the female reproductive system and pregnancy, and cause teratogenesis. This review aims to analyse these effects of nickel. The implications of maternal oxidative stress and hormonal perturbations caused due nickel exposure have been discussed. Increased placental permeability, unidirectional foetal exposure through blood and milk leading to defects during organogenesis are analysed, along with post parturition eventualities such as stillbirth and altered sex ratios. Efforts are made to understand the ameliorative effects of selenium and possible future directions of research in the broad area are enumerated.