US EPA

6966794 

Journal Article 

Review 

Environmental contaminants and male infertility: Effects and mechanisms 

Selvaraju, V; Baskaran, S; Agarwal, A; Henkel, R 

2020 

Yes 

Andrologia
ISSN: 0303-4569
EISSN: 1439-0272 

53 

1 

e13646 

English 

32447772 

10.1111/and.13646 

WOS:000534955700001 

The escalating prevalence of male infertility and decreasing trend in sperm quality have been correlated with rapid industrialisation and the associated discharge of an excess of synthetic substances into the environment. Humans are inevitably exposed to these ubiquitously distributed environmental contaminants, which possess the ability to intervene with the growth and function of male reproductive organs. Several epidemiological reports have correlated the blood and seminal levels of environmental contaminants with poor sperm quality. Numerous in vivo and in vitro studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of various environmental contaminants on spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, Sertoli cells, blood-testis barrier, epididymis and sperm functions. The reported reprotoxic effects include alterations in the spermatogenic cycle, increased germ cell apoptosis, inhibition of steroidogenesis, decreased Leydig cell viability, impairment of Sertoli cell structure and function, altered expression of steroid receptors, increased permeability of blood-testis barrier, induction of peroxidative and epigenetic alterations in spermatozoa resulting in poor sperm quality and function. In light of recent scientific reports, this review discusses the effects of environmental contaminants on the male reproductive function and the possible mechanisms of action. 

endocrine disruptors; environmental contaminants; male infertility; spermatogenesis; steroidogenesis