scholarly journals Perfluoroalkyl Chemicals and Male Reproductive Health: Do PFOA and PFOS Increase Risk for Male Infertility?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3794
Author(s):  
Pheruza Tarapore ◽  
Bin Ouyang
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Human Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Synthetic Chemicals ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Dose Responses ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are manmade synthetic chemicals which have been in existence for over 70 years. Though they are currently being phased out, their persistence in the environment is widespread. There is increasing evidence linking PFAS exposure to health effects, an issue of concern since PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) bioaccumulate in humans, with a half-life of years. Many epidemiological studies suggest that, worldwide, semen quality has decreased over the past several decades. One of the most worrying effects of PFOS and PFOA is their associations with lower testosterone levels, similar to clinical observations in infertile men. This review thus focuses on PFOS/PFOA-associated effects on male reproductive health. The sources of PFAS in drinking water are listed. The current epidemiological studies linking increased exposure to PFAS with lowered testosterone and semen quality, and evidence from rodent studies supporting their function as endocrine disruptors on the reproductive system, exhibiting non-monotonic dose responses, are noted. Finally, their mechanisms of action and possible toxic effects on the Leydig, Sertoli, and germ cells are discussed. Future research efforts must consider utilizing better human model systems for exposure, using more accurate PFAS exposure susceptibility windows, and improvements in statistical modeling of data to account for the endocrine disruptor properties of PFAS.

Semen quality and male reproductive health: the controversy about human sperm concentration decline

Apmis ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 109 (S103) ◽  
pp. S48-S61 ◽  
Author(s):  
PIERRE JOUANNET ◽  
CHRISTINA WANG ◽  
FLORENCE EUSTACHE ◽  
TINA KOLD-JENSEN ◽  
JACQUES AUGER
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

scholarly journals Kisspeptin Protein in Seminal Plasma Is Positively Associated with Semen Quality: Results from the MARHCS Study in Chongqing, China

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Zou ◽  
Xiaogang Wang ◽  
Qing Chen ◽  
Huan Yang ◽  
Niya Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
World Health ◽  
Reference Level ◽  
Sperm Number ◽  
Potential Marker ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

Objectives. To study the associations between kisspeptin levels in seminal plasma and blood plasma and semen quality. Materials and Methods. We conducted a male reproductive health survey in June 2014. A total of 666 volunteers were recruited from colleges in Chongqing, China. All volunteers completed a questionnaire including information on domestic characteristics and some potential confounders. We tested the kisspeptin levels in both blood and seminal plasma. Total seminal kisspeptin was calculated as the concentration of kisspeptin in seminal plasma multiplied by semen volume. Semen samples were tested according to the 2010 World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines. Spearman correlation and multivariate linear regression were used to explore the association between kisspeptin concentrations in seminal plasma and blood plasma and semen quality. Potential confounders that were adjusted for included age, abstinence time, body mass index (BMI), grade, and smoking. Results. The median of kisspeptin levels in seminal plasma was 60,000 times higher than kisspeptin in blood plasma (28.0 × 106 pg/ml versus 448.9 pg/ml). Each interquartile range (IQR) of kisspeptin in seminal plasma was associated with a 4.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6%–7.6%) increase in sperm concentration. Each IQR of total kisspeptin was associated with a 7.7% (95% CI: 4.4%–11.0%) increase in total sperm number and a 7.8% (95% CI: 4.0%–11.7%) increase in total motile sperm count. Kisspeptin levels were further classified into quartiles and Q1 was set as the reference level. Subjects in the high total kisspeptin group had 57.5% (95% CI: 33.2%–86.2%) higher total sperm number than the reference group. Conclusion. The positive association between kisspeptin levels in seminal plasma and semen quality supported an important role for the KISS1/GPR54 system in male reproductive health. Kisspeptin may be a potential marker of male reproductive health and an alternative strategy for treating infertility.

scholarly journals Efeito da atividade física sobre a qualidade seminal

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47
Author(s):  
Leonardo Monteiro Nesello ◽  
Fábio Pasqualotto
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Physical Activity Intensity ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Male Reproductive Health ◽  
Intense Physical Activity

INTRODUÇÃO: A saúde reprodutora masculina pode ser influenciada devida à prática de atividade física, e com isso tem-se aumentado o número de estudos que analisam o efeito da atividade física na qualidade seminal. Descobertas apontam que mudanças significativas na qualidade do sêmen podem ocorrer com a prática de atividade física, que pode alterar sua qualidade de acordo com o tipo de atividade física, a intensidade e a duração. OBJETIVO: Neste contexto, o presente estudo realizou uma análise detalhada da literatura atual com o objetivo de verificar o efeito de diferentes atividades físicas sobre a saúde reprodutora masculina. MÉTODO: Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática feita nas bases de dados do PubMed. Utilizou-se os itens propostos pelo PRISMA para a busca, seleção e extração de dados. De acordo com o fluxograma proposto, 244 artigos foram identificados e, destes, 12 foram selecionados. RESULTADOS: Apoiada por fortes evidências clínicas, esta revisão sugere que a atividade física intensa pode provocar fortes alterações hormonais e prejudicar a qualidade seminal. Já a atividade física moderada parece ter um efeito neutro ou benéfico para a qualidade do sêmen. Além disso, o efeito da atividade física na qualidade do sêmen pode ser diferente de acordo com o tipo de atividade física. CONCLUSÃO: Frente às evidências, ainda existe falta de conclusões sólidas sobre esse assunto, devido ao fato de existir muita contradição entre os estudos existentes e da atividade física não ser facilmente quantificada. ABSTRACT. Effect of physical activity on seminal quality, BACKGROUND: Male reproductive health may be influenced by physical activity, and this has increased the number of studies that analyze the effect of physical activity on seminal quality. Findings indicate that significant changes in semen quality can occur due to the practice of physical activity, which can alter its quality according to the type of physical activity, intensity and duration. OBJECTIVE: In this context, the present study performed a detailed analysis of the current literature with the objective of verifying the effect of different physical activity on male reproductive health. METHODS: A systematic review performed on the PubMed databases. The items proposed by PRISMA were used for searching, selecting and extracting data. According to the proposed flowchart, 244 articles were indentified and, of these, 12 were selected. RESULTS: Supported by strong clinical evidence, this review shows that intense physical activity can cause strong hormonal changes and impair seminal quality. On the other hand, moderate physical activity seems to have a neutral or beneficial effect on semen quality. In addition, the effect of physical activity on semen quality may differ according to the type of physical activity. CONCLUSION: Faced with the evidence, there is still a lack of solid conclusions on this subject, due to the fact that there is a lot of contradiction between the existing studies and that physical activity can not be easily quantified.

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).

Semen quality and male reproductive health: the controversy about human sperm concentration declineNote

Apmis ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 109 (5) ◽  
pp. 333-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Jouannet ◽  
Christina Wang ◽  
Florence Eustache ◽  
Tina Kold-Jensen ◽  
Jacques Auger
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

scholarly journals Endocrine Disruption of Androgenic Activity by Perfluoroalkyl Substances: Clinical and Experimental Evidence

2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 1259-1271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Di Nisio ◽  
Iva Sabovic ◽  
Umberto Valente ◽  
Simone Tescari ◽  
Maria Santa Rocca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Gene Reporter Assay ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

Abstract Background Considerable attention has been paid to perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) because of their worldwide presence in humans, wildlife, and environment. A wide variety of toxicological effects is well supported in animals, including testicular toxicity and male infertility. For these reasons, the understanding of epidemiological associations and of the molecular mechanisms involved in the endocrine-disrupting properties of PFCs on human reproductive health is a major concern. Objective To investigate the relationship between PFC exposure and male reproductive health. Design This study was performed within a screening protocol to evaluate male reproductive health in high schools. Patients This is a cross-sectional study on 212 exposed males from the Veneto region, one of the four areas worldwide heavily polluted with PFCs, and 171 nonexposed controls. Main Outcome Measures Anthropometrics, seminal parameters, and sex hormones were measured in young males from exposed areas compared with age-matched controls. We also performed biochemical studies in established experimental models. Results We found that increased levels of PFCs in plasma and seminal fluid positively correlate with circulating testosterone (T) and with a reduction of semen quality, testicular volume, penile length, and anogenital distance. Experimental evidence points toward an antagonistic action of perfluorooctanoic acid on the binding of T to androgen receptor (AR) in a gene reporter assay, a competition assay on an AR-coated surface plasmon resonance chip, and an AR nuclear translocation assay. Discussion This study documents that PFCs have a substantial impact on human health as they interfere with hormonal pathways, potentially leading to male infertility.

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.

Do environmental estrogens contribute to the decline in male reproductive health?

1995 ◽  
Vol 41 (12) ◽  
pp. 1896-1901 ◽  
Author(s):  
T K Jensen ◽  
J Toppari ◽  
N Keiding ◽  
N E Skakkebaek
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
World War ◽  
Past Half Century ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Common Etiology ◽  
And Function ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

Abstract Several observations suggest that male reproductive health has been declining since World War II in many countries. The incidence of testicular cancer, hypospadias, and cryptorchidism has been increasing and semen quality has been decreasing, and these may have a common etiology. Treatment of several million pregnant women with the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol led to an increase in these conditions among the sons of these women. These abnormalities probably arise during fetal development. The similarity between these effects and the adverse change in male reproductive development and function raised the question of whether the adverse changes are attributable to altered exposures to estrogenic and other endocrine-disrupting agents during fetal development. We speculate that alteration in exposure to estrogen in the past half-century may have caused the changes in male reproductive health.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document