Occupational exposure and effects on the male reproductive system

Abstract

A significant increase in the incidence of male infertility has been described in the international literature, raising questions about its causes. Part of this effect may result from synthetic toxic substances acting on the endocrine system (endocrine disruptors), many of which are routinely used in work processes. We provide a critical review of the specialized literature on work-related chemical substances capable of causing male infertility. Pesticides such as DDT, linuron, and others, heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and copper, and substances from various industrial uses and residues such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), ethylene dibromide (EDB), phthalates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and ethanol are among the main endocrine disruptors that can cause male infertility. Based on the literature, gonadal dysfunction and congenital malformation are the main alterations caused by these substances in the male reproductive system. We conclude that despite the relative lack of studies on this issue, the relevance of such risk calls for further studies as well as measures to prevent workers' exposure to the various substances.

Ameliorative Potential of Moringa or Quercetin on Cadmium Induced Testicular Toxicity in Adult Male Rats.

“…The changes observed in the above agree with the previous reports which demonstrated that cadmium impairs testicular function Heindel, 1998 andQueiroz andWeismann, 2006). Also, Cd caused a reduction in testes g/ tissue and total count of normal sperm.…”

“…So, this makes the testes more vulnerable to environmental and occupational hazards than other tissues (Queiroz and Waissmann, 2006).Hence, the current study was designed to examine the effect of exposure to cadmium chloride on adult albino rat's seminiferous tubules and to evaluate the promising protective role of moringa and quercetin on such consequences.…”

Occupational and Lifestyle Exposures on Male Infertility: A Mini Review

“…Occupational activities involving exposure to specific chemicals or expositions to toxicants may impair male reproductive health and cause infertility in humans [27,37,[42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58].…”

A análise seminal deve ser requisitada para homens com histórico de fertilidade prévia?

“…Outra condição que estabelece um declínio na capacidade reprodutiva masculina de maneira seja controversa na literatura atual 16,17 , existem inúmeros trabalhos demonstrando este efeito deletério do cigarro sobre a fertilidade masculina 14,15 . Uma meta-análise demonstra que pacientes fumantes apresentam um decréscimo médio de 10% na motilidade espermática, 13% na concentração espermática e 3% na morfologia espermática 22 .…”

“…Estudos demonstram que ele pode causar danos, como a diminuição no volume seminal até a fragmentação no DNA dos espermatozóides 14,15 . Além do cigarro, uma série de substâncias de exposição ocupacional têm sido consideradas deleté-rias para o sistema reprodutivo masculino, como pesticidas e agrotóxicos 16,17 .…”