scholarly journals Environmental anti-androgens and male reproductive health: focus on phthalates and testicular dysgenesis syndrome

Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane S Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Phthalate Esters ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome ◽  
Geographical Variations ◽  
Human Male ◽  
Testicular Dysgenesis ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

The amount of research into endocrine disruption has exploded over the past decade and a re-evaluation of the state of research in this area is timely. There are debates about whether human male reproductive health is really declining and whether endocrine disrupting chemicals play any role in the perceived decline. Most data currently conclude that there are wide geographical variations in semen quality and in the incidence of testicular cancer, cryptorchidism and hypospadias. This review aims to give a brief overview of the issues surrounding the perceived decline in human male reproductive health and the importance of the hormonal environment for the development of the testis and reproductive tract. The consequences for the male reproductive tract of abnormal androgen levels or action are discussed with reference to environmental anti-androgenic compounds. The in vivo data on several anti-androgenic compounds that have been administered to pregnant rodents during the period of male reproductive tract development are assessed with attention to the effects on the male offspring. Finally, the data on in utero phthalate administration are discussed in detail to illustrate the similarities between the effects of some phthalate esters and the human male reproductive tract disorders which comprise testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS).

scholarly journals Phthalate Toxicity in Rats and Its Relation to Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome in Humans

2021 ◽  
pp. 019262332110453
Author(s):  
Cynthia J. Willson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Normal Development ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Testicular Development ◽  
Reproductive Disorders ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome ◽  
Human Male ◽  
Testicular Dysgenesis ◽  
Common Etiology

This work describes the relevance of toxicology studies of environmental chemicals, with a focus on phthalates, for a hypothesis that certain human male reproductive disorders and diseases have a common etiology of disturbance of normal development in utero. The “Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome” hypothesis in humans has parallels in male reproductive tract abnormalities and microscopic lesions reported for phthalate toxicity in rats. Additionally, this work describes the histological findings of abnormal testicular development (testicular dysgenesis) in rats as compared to those in humans, as well as potential findings in rats at different ages, from the embryo to the adult.

Air pollutants and impairments of male reproductive health-an overview

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil Kumar ◽  
Anupama Sharma ◽  
Riddhi Thaker
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Male Reproduction ◽  
Human Male ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

Abstract Excessive air pollution, both ambient and indoor are might be detrimental to human wellbeing and are related to morbidity and mortality, it may also affect the reproductive function and its outcome. It is a recognized fact that air pollution contains several toxicants, gases, particulate matter, toxic metals etc. Some of them might affect reproductive and developmental process and a few are persistent. The information accessible on air pollution to human male reproduction is stated to affect semen quality by diminishing one or more sperm quality parameters i.e., sperm morphology, concentration, motility etc. and may causes sperm DNA damage, these might alter the fertility potential which in turn affect pregnancy or its outcome. The impact might be related to the pollutant’s concentration and duration of exposure. The data on impact of air contamination on endocrine function are inadequate, inconsistence and the diversity of existence of air contaminants in area to area and multiplicity in semen quality parameters assessed in various studies as well as study design variables complicated the problem of evaluation of impact of air pollution on male reproduction. The data available suggests the air pollution is might be injurious to human male reproductive health, which depends upon amounts of air pollutants in the air, duration of exposure etc. but more comprehensive data are needed to substantiate the findings. The data are also needed on indoor air pollution on reproduction as people are might be subjected to greater quantities of some of the indoor air pollutants as compared to ambient air pollution.

Colonisation of the male reproductive tract in asymptomatic infertile men: Effects on semen quality

Andrologia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Veiga ◽  
Mercedes Treviño ◽  
Ana B. Romay ◽  
Daniel Navarro ◽  
Rocío Trastoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Infertile Men

scholarly journals Location of a membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme (CA IV) in the human male reproductive tract.

1993 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 751-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Parkkila ◽  
A K Parkkila ◽  
K Kaunisto ◽  
A Waheed ◽  
W S Sly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Carbonic Anhydrase ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Apical Plasma Membrane ◽  
Specific Staining ◽  
Ductus Deferens ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Human Male ◽  
Membrane Bound

We studied the location of a membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase (CA IV) in the human male reproductive tract using a specific antiserum to human CA IV in conjunction with immunoblotting, immunoperoxidase, and immunofluorescence techniques. The microvilli and apical plasma membrane of the epithelial cells and the subepithelial smooth muscle layer of the epididymis, ductus deferens, and ampulla of the ductus deferens showed specific staining for CA IV. The epithelial cells of the prostate and seminal vesicle failed to stain for CA IV, however, whereas the subepithelial smooth muscle layer showed positive staining. No specific staining for CA II was seen in the epithelium of the epididymal duct or the proximal ductus deferens. The presence of CA IV in the epididymis was confirmed by immunoblotting, which revealed 35 KD and 33 KD polypeptides. The results show that the microvilli and the apical plasma membrane of the lining epithelium of the epididymal duct, ductus deferens, and ampulla of the ductus deferens contain the membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme IV. The presence of the enzyme in the epithelium of the epididymis and ductus deferens is probably linked to the acidification of the epididymal fluid that prevents premature sperm activation. Its physiological role in the smooth muscle cells remains to be elucidated.

scholarly journals Zika Virus Trafficking and Interactions in the Human Male Reproductive Tract

Pathogens ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Unprotected Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Human Male ◽  
Viral Interactions

Sexual transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) is a matter of great concern. Infectious viral particles can be shed in semen for as long as six months after infection and can be transferred to male and female sexual partners during unprotected sexual intercourse. The virus can be found inside spermatozoa and could be directly transferred to the oocyte during fertilization. Sexual transmission of ZIKV can contribute to the rise in number of infected individuals in endemic areas as well as in countries where the mosquito vector does not thrive. There is also the possibility, as has been demonstrated in mouse models, that the vaginal deposition of ZIKV particles present in semen could lead to congenital syndrome. In this paper, we review the current literature to understand ZIKV trafficking from the bloodstream to the human male reproductive tract and viral interactions with host cells in interstitial spaces, tubule walls, annexed glands and semen. We hope to highlight gaps to be filled by future research and potential routes for vaccine and antiviral development.

scholarly journals Phthalate-induced pathology in the foetal testis involves more than decreased testosterone production

Reproduction ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 147 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
D N Rao Veeramachaneni ◽  
Gary R Klinefelter
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome ◽  
Pathway Network ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Testicular Dysgenesis ◽  
And Migration ◽  
And Function ◽  
Rats And Mice

Foetal exposure to phthalates is known to adversely impact male reproductive development and function. Developmental anomalies of reproductive tract have been attributed to impaired testosterone synthesis. However, species differences in the ability to produce testosterone have been noted; e.g., following foetal exposure, abnormal clustering of Leydig cells or decreased production of testosterone that is manifested in rats does not occur in mice or humans. Nonetheless, other facets of testicular dysgenesis occur in both rats and mice as well as in some other species tested. We recently published a comprehensive evaluation of the foetal rat testis proteome, following in utero exposure to diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which revealed changes in individual proteins that are known to be factors in cellular differentiation and migration or related to the capacity of the foetal Leydig cell to produce testosterone and fit a pathway network in which each is regulated directly or indirectly by oestradiol. Plasma oestradiol indeed was found to be elevated approximately twofold in 19-day-old DEHP-exposed foetal male rats. In this brief review, we discuss our new findings vis-à-vis ‘oestrogen hypothesis’ as a cause for testicular dysgenesis syndrome.

scholarly journals Gonadal development and reproductive hormones in infant boys

2006 ◽  
Vol 155 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S51-S57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina M Main ◽  
Jorma Toppari ◽  
Niels E Skakkebæk
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Testicular Cancer ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Inhibin B ◽  
Fetal Life ◽  
Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome

Background: The intrauterine milieu plays a crucial role for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in adulthood, but little is known about its impact on gonadal development and reproduction. Impaired testis development in fetal life can lead to cryptorchidism, hypospadias, impaired semen quality, and testicular cancer, disorders that may present symptoms of a testicular dysgenesis syndrome. The prevalence of these disorders appears to increase in many areas, probably due to environmental factors acting in utero. Denmark has a significantly higher incidence of testicular cancer and lower sperm quality than Finland. Methods: We conducted a population-based study of newborn boys from Denmark and Finland, in order to examine whether this geographic difference was reflected in the reproductive health of newborns. Results: Danish boys had a lower testis volume at birth, a smaller testis growth up to 18 months of age and lower serum inhibin B and FSH levels at 3 months than Finnish. Danish boys also had a higher prevalence of both cryptorchidism and hypospadias than Finnish boys. In boys with cryptorchidism and hypospadias subtle changes in hormonal levels occurred, towards increased gonadotropins and lower inhibin B in cryptorchidism. Both types of congenital malformations were more frequent in children born small for gestational age, indicative of a relationship between growth and reproductive development. Conclusions: These early postnatal findings suggest that the previously observed population differences in reproductive health between young Danish and Finnish men are of fetal origin. The differences may originate as a result of gene–environment interactions, where endocrine disrupters may also play a role.

scholarly journals Expression of epithelial cadherin in the human male reproductive tract and gametes and evidence of its participation in fertilization

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 561-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.I. Marin-Briggiler ◽  
M.F. Veiga ◽  
M.L. Matos ◽  
M.F. Gonzalez Echeverria ◽  
L.I. Furlong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Epithelial Cadherin ◽  
Human Male
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