Paternal exposures: impact on reproductive and developmental outcome. An overview.
Experimental and epidemiologic investigations document the adverse consequences of an array of paternal exposures on the development of subsequent offspring. Male-mediated abnormalities have been reported after exposure to therapeutic and recreational drugs, to chemicals in the workplace and environment and to ionizing radiation. The impact on progeny outcome includes: an increase in congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions, fetal resorptions; low birth weight; increase in childhood cancers; developmental, neurobehavioral, neuroendocrine, neurochemical abnormalities; effects in F2 generation progeny. Fertility is often unaffected. The comparative influence of genetic, epigenetic and nongenetic mechanisms in the etiology of paternally-mediated adverse outcomes is unknown. There is no a priori reason to assume that male-mediated effects are limited to the agents studied to date. The broad spectrum of alterations recorded after exposure to a variety of unrelated agents suggests the need for a more focused effort and multidisciplinary exploration of the potential impact of the male parent on reproductive outcome.
Friedler
G
G
Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118, USA.
D000818:Animals; D005220:Fathers; D005260:Female; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006128:Growth / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*
D013723:Teratogens