Excess Iodine and Reproductive System: A Mini Review

Abstract

Iodine deficiency has always been known to disrupt the physiological system of an organism. The most affected being thyroid gland. The other organ systems also bear the brunt but another acutely affected region is the reproductive system. Iodine deficiency disorders led to implementation of salt iodization programs throughout the world. Various countries took different measures to curb iodine deficiency. This caused indiscriminate consumption of iodine on a regular basis even in environmentally iodine replete regions. This often caused iodine accumulation in excess of the required dietary recommendations. In turn, it again affected the thyroid-reproductive axis irrespective of the sex. This excess iodine affects the male and female reproductive systems via separate mechanisms. Not only the organs themselves, but also the fertility rates were affected in these organisms. However, the ultimate effect of even excess indiscriminate iodine consumption appeared to be disruption in the reproductive function of the organism. The objective of this review is to outline the effects of excess indiscriminate iodine consumption on the reproductive system.