title: Targeting testis-specific proteins to inhibit spermatogenesis: lesson from endocrine disrupting chemicals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has recently been linked to declining fertility in men in both developed and developing countries. Since many EDCs possess intrinsic estrogenic or androgenic activities, thus, the gonad is one of the major targets of EDCs.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the past 2 decades, studies found in the literature regarding the disruptive effects of these EDCs on reproductive function in human males and also rodents were mostly focused on oxidative stress-induced germ cell apoptosis, disruption of steroidogenesis, abnormal sperm production and disruption of spermatogenesis in particular cell adhesion function and the blood-testis-barrier (BTB) function. Herein, we highlight recent findings in the field illustrating testis-specific proteins are also targets of EDCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This information should be helpful in developing better therapeutic approach to manage ECD-induced reproductive toxicity. This information is also helpful to identify potential targets for male contraceptive development.
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomedical Research, The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA.
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Dolores D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Mruk
authors.forename: Chris K C
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: C Yan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001814:Blood-Testis Barrier / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D011506:Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species