Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Infertility in Males01:23

Infertility in Males

Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
Testosterone: Functions and Regulation01:26

Testosterone: Functions and Regulation

The intricate hormonal interplay essential for male reproductive health begins with the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus. This hormone prompts the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). LH targets the Leydig cells in the testes, stimulating them to produce and release testosterone. In concert with testosterone, FSH acts on the Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules to facilitate the release of...
The Endocrine System01:29

The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is an extensive network of glands – organs or tissues in the body that create chemicals that control many bodily functions, that secrete hormones, which are chemical messengers that play essential roles in regulating various bodily functions. These hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. They require specific receptors to convey signals to cells possessing these corresponding receptors. This complex signaling mechanism ensures that every...
Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...
Disorders of the Male Reproductive System01:20

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Putative Imprinting Control Regions with Aberrant Blood-Based DNA Methylation are Associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk.

Journal of hepatocellular carcinoma·2026
Same author

Ascites protects against ferroptosis and enables the peritoneal growth of ovarian cancer.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Environmental exposures and epigenetic alterations in common chronic diseases: insights and challenges.

Environmental epigenetics·2026
Same author

UV irradiation alters TFAM binding specificity and compaction of DNA.

eLife·2026
Same author

Gestational exposure to PM<sub>2.5</sub>, NO<sub>2</sub>, and sex steroid hormones: Identifying critical windows of exposure in the Rochester UPSIDE Cohort.

Environmental epidemiology (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2025
Same author

Regulation of Age-Related Lipid Metabolism in Ovarian Cancer.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025
Same journal

Assessing the Evidence for Differential Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke Across Fires and Populations: A Critical Review of Recent Studies.

Current environmental health reports·2026
Same journal

Lactation Interrupted: PFAS Impact on Capacity to Breastfeed Ignored.

Current environmental health reports·2026
Same journal

Chemicals of Concern in Chemical Hair Straightening Products: A Scoping Review.

Current environmental health reports·2026
Same journal

Encoding Justice with Data: Environmental Justice Screening Tools and the Limits of Quantification.

Current environmental health reports·2026
Same journal

Industrial Pollution and Health in Louisiana: A Systematic Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies.

Current environmental health reports·2026
Same journal

Field Experiments on Health and the Built Environment in Urban Settings: A Scoping Review.

Current environmental health reports·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Methods to Test Endocrine Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster
09:43

Methods to Test Endocrine Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: July 3, 2019

Endocrine Disruption and Male Fertility.

Gurugowtham Ulaganathan1,2, Susan K Murphy3,4,5

  • 1Duke Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, US.

Current Environmental Health Reports
|June 3, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Paternal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals impairs male fertility and impacts offspring health across generations. Further research is crucial to understand and mitigate these intergenerational effects.

Keywords:
Endocrine disrupting chemicalsEpigenetic transmissionMitochondrial dysfunctionPreconception exposuresReactive oxygen speciesSpermatogenesis

More Related Videos

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
07:08

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
06:24

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Published on: January 10, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Methods to Test Endocrine Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster
09:43

Methods to Test Endocrine Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: July 3, 2019

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
07:08

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
06:24

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Published on: January 10, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants affecting human health.
  • While female exposure effects are well-studied, male preconception exposure is an emerging concern for reproductive outcomes.
  • EDCs can interfere with male reproductive function and impact subsequent generations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how major EDCs impair male fertility endpoints.
  • To describe the downstream effects on fertilization and offspring health.
  • To highlight the need for further research on intergenerational impacts.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on EDC effects on male reproductive health.
  • Analysis of research on paternal EDC exposure and subsequent generations.
  • Synthesis of findings on mechanisms of EDC action in males.

Main Results:

  • EDCs (e.g., PCBs, PBDEs, PFAS, bisphenols, phthalates, parabens) disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and male reproductive system.
  • Observed effects include reduced sperm quality, impaired spermatogenesis, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and epigenetic alterations.
  • Paternal EDC exposure is linked to adverse outcomes in offspring, including fertility issues in F1/F2 generations and increased risks of low birth weight and congenital heart disease in humans.

Conclusions:

  • Paternal preconception exposure to EDCs has significant implications for male fertility and offspring health.
  • Evidence suggests intergenerational and transgenerational effects, warranting further investigation.
  • Mitigation strategies are needed due to the widespread presence of EDCs.