A Scoping Review on Male-Mediated Developmental Toxicity

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Reproductive Science
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Developmental toxicity encompasses adverse effects from parental exposure during pregnancy or preconception.
• Maternal exposure is well-studied, but paternal exposure's role in developmental toxicity is often underestimated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and emphasize the impact of male-mediated developmental toxicity.
• To consolidate evidence on adverse offspring outcomes linked to paternal toxicant exposure.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.
• Focused on studies examining developmental toxicity in offspring following paternal preconception exposure.

Main Results:

• Paternal exposure to diverse chemicals (pharmaceuticals, substances of abuse, environmental toxins) adversely affects offspring health.
• Biochemical mechanisms mediate the adverse effects of paternal exposure on offspring development.
• Specific toxicants include tobacco, alcohol, opioids, cannabinoids, phthalates, organic solvents, and pesticides.

Conclusions:

• Substantial evidence confirms male-mediated developmental toxicity, highlighting male germ line vulnerability.
• Proposed biochemical pathways explain the observed toxicity.
• Human evidence, while complex, indicates potential developmental risks from paternal exposure to substances of abuse and occupational chemicals.