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Updated: May 31, 2026
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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
The effect of environmental contaminants on testicular function
Premendu Prakash Mathur1, Shereen Cynthia D'Cruz
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605 014, India. ppmathur.bic@pondiuni.edu.in
Asian Journal of Andrology
|June 28, 2011
Summary
Environmental toxicants are linked to declining male fertility and reproductive health. These contaminants induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in the testes, impacting sperm count and quality.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Male reproductive health has declined significantly in recent decades.
- Environmental toxicants are increasingly implicated as a major contributing factor.
- These toxicants can disrupt key testicular functions and impact fertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of environmental contaminants on male reproductive health.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms, focusing on oxidative stress and apoptosis.
- To discuss commonly encountered environmental toxicants and their effects.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing evidence on environmental toxicants and male reproductive health.
- Analysis of studies investigating the effects on testicular spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.
- Examination of research on oxidative stress and apoptosis induction in testicular cells.
Main Results:
- Environmental contaminants can mimic hormones and disrupt Sertoli and Leydig cell function.
- Exposure to toxicants frequently leads to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
- Oxidative stress and apoptosis are key pathways through which toxicants damage the testes.
Conclusions:
- Environmental toxicants pose a significant threat to male fertility and reproductive health.
- Understanding the mechanisms of oxidative stress and apoptosis is crucial for mitigating damage.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate molecular pathways and develop protective strategies.
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