Endocrine-disrupting chemicals—Mechanisms of action on male reproductive system

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 601-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona Sidorkiewicz ◽  
Kamil Zaręba ◽  
Sławomir Wołczyński ◽  
Jan Czerniecki
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Male Reproductive Function ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Exogenous Compounds

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that can cause disturbances in the endocrine system and have multiple harmful effects on health by targeting different organs and systems in the human body. Mass industrial production and widespread use of EDCs have resulted in worldwide contamination. Accumulating evidence suggest that human exposure to EDCs is related to the impairment of male reproductive function and can interrupt other hormonally regulated metabolic processes, particularly if exposure occurs during early development. Investigation of studies absent in previous reviews and meta-analysis of adverse effects of EDCs on functioning of the male reproductive system is the core of this work. Four main modes of action of EDCs on male fertility have been summarized in this review. First, studies describing estrogen- pathway disturbing chemicals are investigated. Second, androgen-signaling pathway alterations and influence on androgen sensitive tissues are examined. Third, evaluation of steroidogenesis dysfunction is discussed by focusing on the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway, which is targeted by EDCs. Last, the reportedly destructive role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on sperm function is discussed. Spermatogenesis is a remarkably complex process, hence multiple studies point out various dysfunctions depending on the development state at which the exposure occurred. Collected data show the need to account for critical windows of exposure such as fetal, perinatal and pubertal periods as well as effects of mixtures of several compounds in future research.

scholarly journals Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Current Understanding, New Testing Strategies and Future Research Needs

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 933
Author(s):  
Maria E. Street ◽  
Karine Audouze ◽  
Juliette Legler ◽  
Hideko Sone ◽  
Paola Palanza
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Important Class ◽  
Testing Strategies ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Health And Disease

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous chemicals which can disrupt any action of the endocrine system, and are an important class of substances which play a role in the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) [...]

scholarly journals Endocrine disruption of oestrogen action and female reproductive tract cancers

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. T13-T31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas A Gibson ◽  
Philippa T K Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Early Life Exposure ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Robust Evidence

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) are ubiquitous and persistent compounds that have the capacity to interfere with normal endocrine homoeostasis. The female reproductive tract is exquisitely sensitive to the action of sex steroids, and oestrogens play a key role in normal reproductive function. Malignancies of the female reproductive tract are the fourth most common cancer in women, with endometrial cancer accounting for most cases. Established risk factors for development of endometrial cancer include high BMI and exposure to oestrogens or synthetic compounds such as tamoxifen. Studies on cell and animal models have provided evidence that many EDC can bind oestrogen receptors and highlighted early life exposure as a window of risk for adverse lifelong effects on the reproductive system. The most robust evidence for a link between early life exposure to EDC and adverse reproductive health has come from studies on women who were exposedin uteroto diethylstilbestrol. Demonstration that EDC can alter expression of members of the HOX gene cluster highlights one pathway that might be vulnerable to their actions. In summary, evidence for a direct link between EDC exposure and cancers of the reproductive system is currently incomplete. It will be challenging to attribute causality to any single EDC when exposure and development of malignancy may be separated by many years and influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet (a source of phytoestrogens) and adiposity. This review considers some of the evidence collected to date.

Xenobiotics with estrogen or antiandrogen action — disruptors of the male reproductive system

Open Medicine ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanta Słowikowska-Hilczer
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Life Style ◽  
Gonadal Dysgenesis ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Androgenic Activity ◽  
Life Style Changes ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Fertility Potential

AbstractThe environmental and life-style changes associated with developing industry and agriculture, especially the exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (xenobiotics), are considered as causes of the increasing incidence of male reproductive system disorders. Most of the xenobiotics, which harmfully influence the male reproductive system, reveal estrogen-like (xenoestrogens) or anti-androgenic activity. Recent data have revealed physiological roles of estrogens in the male, however, there are evidences that estrogen-like substances may lead to many undesirable symptoms in the male i.e. gonadal dysgenesis, genital malformations, cryptorchidism, decreased fertility potential and testicular neoplastic changes. The number of xenoestrogens is still growing in the environment, whereas the mechanisms of their action are still not exactly known. They can be harmful not only to the present but potentially also to the next generations.

scholarly journals Do Insulin Replacement and Omega3 Protect the Male Reproductive Function of the Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice?

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atefe Yaghoubi ◽  
Abbas Shahedi ◽  
Hakime Akbari ◽  
Seyed Noureddin Nematollahi-Mahani
Keyword(s):  
Testosterone Level ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Serum Testosterone Level ◽  
Diabetic Mice ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Sperm Number ◽  
Male Reproductive Function ◽  
Insulin Replacement

Diabetes mellitus (DM), the most common metabolic disease, might affect different organs such as male reproductive system. Experiments have shown that n-3 fatty acids could improve male reproductive function. Present study was performed to examine the effects of omega3 on sperms and testicular parameters in diabetic mice. Adult NMRI male mice were randomly divided into intact and diabetic groups (n=8). Streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals were divided into 4 groups of diabetic-saline (Dia-Sa), diabetic-insulin (Dia-Ins), diabetic-omega3 (Dia-omg3), and diabetic-insulin-omega3 (Dia-Ins-omg3). Following confirmation of diabetes, different treatments including 3 U/100 g insulin subcutaneously and 400 mg/kg omega3 orally were administered, where applicable according to the treatment groups. Thirty-five days later, the sperm number, motility, progression, and normal morphology were determined. Also, testes diameters and structure including germinal epithelium thickness, seminiferous tubule diameters, Leydig cell number, and testosterone level were assessed. Sperm number, viability, fast motility, testes volume, and serum testosterone level decreased insignificantly in the Dia-Sa group compared with the intact animals. Neither insulin replacement nor omega3 administration could significantly improve the outcome. We might conclude that short periods of diabetes could not significantly affect the male reproductive function. In addition, insulin replacement and/or omega-3 supplementation does not have any profound effects on male reproductive system.

scholarly journals Environmental Contamination and Human Exposure to Select Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-380
Author(s):  
Seethappan Sangeetha ◽  
Krishnamoorthi Vimalkumar ◽  
Bommanna G. Loganathan
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Contamination ◽  
Human Exposure ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Compounds ◽  
Indoor Dust ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Environmental Matrices ◽  
Aquatic Contamination ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Exogenous Compounds

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that interfere with the normal hormone functions and ultimately lead to health disorders. Parabens, phenols, and phthalates are well-known EDCs, produced globally in large quantities and widely used in a variety of applications. Several studies have monitored these compounds in a variety of environmental matrices, including air, water, sediment, fish, human tissues, soil, indoor dust, and biosolids, etc. In recent years, environmental contamination and human exposure to these chemicals have become a great concern, due to their residue levels exceeding the permissible/acceptable limits. In this review, we focus on the origin of these EDCs, aquatic contamination pathways, distribution, human exposure, health implications, and healthcare costs. Further, this review identifies critical challenges and future research needs in removing or minimizing environmental contamination and exposure to these chemicals to protect living resources.

scholarly journals Antidiabetic therapies and male reproductive function: where do we stand?

Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 155 (1) ◽  
pp. R13-R37 ◽  
Author(s):  
R S Tavares ◽  
S Escada-Rebelo ◽  
A F Silva ◽  
M I Sousa ◽  
J Ramalho-Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Antidiabetic Drugs ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Male Reproductive Function ◽  
Antidiabetic Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Diabetes mellitus has been increasing at alarming rates in recent years, thus jeopardizing human health worldwide. Several antidiabetic drugs have been introduced in the market to manage glycemic levels, and proven effective in avoiding, minimizing or preventing the appearance or development of diabetes mellitus-related complications. However, and despite the established association between such pathology and male reproductive dysfunction, the influence of these therapeutic interventions on such topics have been scarcely explored. Importantly, this pathology may contribute toward the global decline in male fertility, giving the increasing preponderance of diabetes mellitus in young men at their reproductive age. Therefore, it is mandatory that the reproductive health of diabetic individuals is maintained during the antidiabetic treatment. With this in mind, we have gathered the available information and made a critical analysis regarding the effects of several antidiabetic drugs on male reproductive function. Unlike insulin, which has a clear and fundamental role on male reproductive function, the other antidiabetic therapies' effects at this level seem incoherent. In fact, studies are highly controversial possibly due to the different experimental study approaches, which, in our opinion, suggests caution when it comes to prescribing such drugs to young diabetic patients. Overall, much is still to be determined and further studies are needed to clarify the safety of these antidiabetic strategies on male reproductive system. Aspects such as the effects of insulin levels variations, consequent of insulin therapy, as well as what will be the impact of the side effect hypoglycemia, common to several therapeutic strategies discussed, on the male reproductive system are still to be addressed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document