Environmental contaminants and male infertility: Effects and mechanisms

AndrologiaVolume 53, Issue 1 e13646 INVITED REVIEW Environmental contaminants and male infertility: Effects and mechanisms Vaithinathan Selvaraju, Vaithinathan Selvaraju orcid.org/0000-0003-4045-7710 Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USASearch for more papers by this authorSaradha Baskaran, Saradha Baskaran orcid.org/0000-0002-4499-8680 American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USASearch for more papers by this authorAshok Agarwal, Corresponding Author Ashok Agarwal agarwaa@ccf.org orcid.org/0000-0003-0585-1026 American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA Correspondence Ashok Agarwal, American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Mail Code X-11, 10681 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. Email: agarwaa@ccf.orgSearch for more papers by this authorRalf Henkel, Ralf Henkel orcid.org/0000-0003-1128-2982 American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this author Vaithinathan Selvaraju, Vaithinathan Selvaraju orcid.org/0000-0003-4045-7710 Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USASearch for more papers by this authorSaradha Baskaran, Saradha Baskaran orcid.org/0000-0002-4499-8680 American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USASearch for more papers by this authorAshok Agarwal, Corresponding Author Ashok Agarwal agarwaa@ccf.org orcid.org/0000-0003-0585-1026 American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA Correspondence Ashok Agarwal, American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Mail Code X-11, 10681 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. Email: agarwaa@ccf.orgSearch for more papers by this authorRalf Henkel, Ralf Henkel orcid.org/0000-0003-1128-2982 American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 24 May 2020 https://doi.org/10.1111/and.13646Citations: 27Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract 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. Citing Literature Volume53, Issue1Special Issue: An Update on Male Infertility: Factors, Mechanisms and InterventionsFebruary 2021e13646 RelatedInformation