Effects of intrauterine exposure to 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl on the reproductive system and sperm epigenetic imprinting of male offspring.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of persistent organic environmental pollutants with a total of 209 homologs. The homolog 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB118) is one of the most important dioxin-like PCBs and is highly toxic. PCB118 can accumulate in human tissues, serum and breast milk, which leads to direct exposure of the fetus during development.