[Environment and spermatogenesis]

An alteration of the male reproductive system as well as regional differences in this alterations were recently reported in several studies. That suggest a relationship between environmental conditions and spermatogenesis. Histories of dibromochloropropane distilbene and gossypol are indicative of the influence of occupational and drug exposure, or of the life style on the male reproductive tract. The present review deals with chemical (pesticides, metals ...), physical (ionising and non-ionising radiation's, endogenous heat) and life style factors (exogenous heat, posture, clothing, alcohol, tobacco, stress, sport, nutrition) susceptible to have a deleterious effect on spermatogenesis. Besides, the hypothesis of endocrine disrupters is discussed with inclusion of the information of regional differences from recent studies. While further studies are required to precisely determine the function of the quoted factors in the secular decrease and regional variations of spermatogenesis, it is suggested that sperm is an indicator of public health and that the principle of precaution is to be considered with the usual implication: 1) effective preventive action in occupational world, 2) avoiding of a risk factor discovered during infecondity consulting, 3) non use of substances which innocuity is not proved by toxicologic studies in animals.