Obesogens and male fertility
A M Cardoso1, M G Alves1, P P Mathur2,3
1Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
Summary
Environmental obesogens disrupt male reproductive health and testicular metabolism, potentially causing infertility and transgenerational metabolic issues. Understanding these endocrine disruptors is crucial for male fertility and metabolic disease prevention.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Male fertility has declined in developed countries over recent decades.
- Obesogens, environmental compounds promoting weight gain, are implicated as endocrine disruptors contributing to this decline.
- These compounds disrupt metabolic processes, favoring adipogenesis and accumulating in lipid-rich tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated overview of obesogen impact on testicular physiology and metabolism.
- To examine the effects of obesogens on male reproductive parameters and fertility.
- To highlight the potential for transgenerational effects via epigenetic modifications.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on obesogens and male reproductive health.
- Analysis of studies focusing on testicular physiology and metabolism.
- Examination of research on male reproductive parameters and fertility outcomes.
Main Results:
- Obesogens disrupt the male reproductive axis and testicular metabolism, essential for spermatogenesis.
- Disruption of metabolic pathways by obesogens leads to adverse reproductive outcomes.
- Obesogen exposure may induce epigenetic modifications in male gametes, affecting subsequent generations' metabolic health.
Conclusions:
- Obesogens pose a significant threat to male reproductive health and fertility.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of obesogen toxicity is vital to prevent transgenerational susceptibility to metabolic diseases.
- Further research is needed to elucidate obesogen-induced epigenetic modifications and their long-term consequences.
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