Polychlorinated biphenyls and its potential role in endometriosis

With the progress of global industrialization and environmental deterioration, the relationship between human health and the living environment has become an increasing focus of attention. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, including dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls), as part of the organic chlorine contaminants, have been suspected as playing a role in the etiopathogenesis of endometriosis. Several population-based studies have proposed that exposure to PCBs may increase the risk of developing endometriosis, while some epidemiological studies have failed to find any association between PCBs and endometriosis. The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential pathophysiological relationship between endometriosis and PCBs with a focus on both dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls. - Highlights: • The relationship between polychlorinated biphenyls and endometriosis was controversial. • Carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting effects of polychlorinated biphenyls were briefly explained. • The potential pathophysiological relationship between endometriosis and polychlorinated biphenyls was discussed. • More work is required on non-dioxin-like PCBs associated endometriosis.