Bisphenols Threaten Male Reproductive Health via Testicular Cells

Abstract

Male reproductive function and health are largely dependent on the testes, which are strictly regulated by their major cell components, i. e., Sertoli, Leydig, and germ cells. Sertoli cells perform a crucial phagocytic function in addition to supporting the development of germ cells. Leydig cells produce hormones essential for male reproductive function, and germ cell quality is a key parameter for male fertility assessment. However, these cells have been identified as primary targets of endocrine disruptors, including bisphenols. Bisphenols are a category of man-made organic chemicals used to manufacture plastics, epoxy resins, and personal care products such as lipsticks, face makeup, and nail lacquers. Despite long-term uncertainty regarding their safety, bisphenols are still being used worldwide, especially bisphenol A. While considerable attention has been paid to the effects of bisphenols on health, current bisphenol-related reproductive health cases indicate that greater attention should be given to these chemicals. Bisphenols, especially bisphenol A, F, and S, have been reported to elicit various effects on testicular cells, including apoptosis, DNA damage, disruption of intercommunication among cells, mitochondrial damage, disruption of tight junctions, and arrest of proliferation, which threaten male reproductive health. In addition, bisphenols are xenoestrogens, which alter organs and cells functions via agonistic or antagonistic interplay with hormone receptors. In this review, we provide in utero, in vivo, and in vitro evidence that currently available brands of bisphenols impair male reproductive health through their action on testicular cells.

Endocrine Disruptors Acting on Estrogen and Androgen Pathways Cause Reproductive Disorders through Multiple Mechanisms: A Review

“…Based on published studies, governments now implement a maximum limit of BPA use in industry [ 59 ]. However, as evident from recent studies, even lower concentrations of this compound can elicit a wide range of health problems including male and female infertility not only from direct exposure, but also by parental transfer [ 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ]. Nevertheless, the cause–effect relationship cannot be established due to the cross-sectional design of the studies as well as the large spontaneous between- and within-subject variability of semen parameters [ 65 ].…”

Expression of estrogen receptors, PELP1, and SRC in human spermatozoa and their associations with semen quality

“…However, the exact molecular mechanism of action remains vague [27][28][29][30][31]. The concept of "chemical mixture effects" has been widely discussed in this context to indicate that combined chemical action may induce different biological effects than an individual chemical's influence [32][33][34][35].…”

Resveratrol Butyrate Esters Inhibit Obesity Caused by Perinatal Exposure to Bisphenol A in Female Offspring Rats

“…Growing evidence suggests that, due to the phenolic structure of BPA, it interacts with estrogen receptors and acts as either agonist or antagonist via estrogen receptor-dependent signaling pathways [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Previous studies have demonstrated the developmental origins of the health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis [ 23 , 24 ], which highlights the links between the periconceptual, foetal, and early infant phases of life and the subsequent development of adult obesity and related metabolic disorders [ 25 , 26 ].…”