Toxicology of Male Reproduction in Animals and Humans

Abstract

Environmental contaminants can interfere with the male reproduction function. A review is presented of those pollutants with adverse effects on human reproduction. The possible effects of occupational and environmental exposure to various substances on male reproductive health are evaluated. This analysis considers studies showing damage of men exposed to halogenated hydrocarbons, other organic compounds, heavy metals and some physical agents, and some lifestyles, such as continuous stress, alcohol consumption, cigarette and marijuana smoking, and other addictions. Possible influences of these agents on the neuroendocrine system with the decrease of male fertility during the last decades are also discussed.

Cyclamate intake and cyclohexylamine excretion are not related to male fertility in humans

“…However, some lifestyles can potentially expose a person to various substances that are qualitatively comparable with some toxic agents present in the workplace or domestic environment. Among the substances with adverse effects on spermatogenesis are halogenated hydrocarbons, other organic compounds, metals and heavy metals, and some physical agents (De Celis et al 1996). Some organic solvents, certain pesticides, and aromatic hydrocarbons are able to cross the blood-testis barrier, with the possibility of acting on germinal cells throughout their maturation process (Figa-Talamanca andHatch 1994, Peters 1998).…”

“…Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between male infertility and intense sweeteners intake and cyclamate and cyclohexylamine excretion. the testicular germinal epithelium is a susceptible tissue to various toxic agents, spermatogenesis is affected only when the damage is intense or prevails for a prolonged time (De Celis et al 1996).…”

Effect of Compound Cdri 84/35 and Synthetic Estrogen on the Seminiferous Epithelium of Immature Rat

“…Studies have demonstrated that the administration of exogenous synthetic estrogens mimic the effect of hypophysectomy on the testes, resulting in suppression of pituitary gonadotropins and circulating testosterone levels, despite the role of testicular estrogen attributed to the hormonal control of spermatogenesis (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). Similar effects on androgen synthesis in Leydig cells and spermatogenesis in testes of immature as well as mature rats have been documented using other antitesticular agents (15)(16)(17)(18).…”

Expression of NK cells activation receptors after occupational exposure to toxics

“…The results of studies in the area of environmental toxicology, indicate that there is a health risk for most people who work in close contact with toxics, which may involve developing chronicdegenerative diseases, immunodeficiency, recurrent or serious infections, cancer, fertility problems, and recurrent abortions [15,21,22]. Additionally, they are more at risk of having children with malformations or they have a high risk (up to 3 times greater than in the general population) of developing serious metabolic diseases, leukemia or malignant tumors [23,24].…”