title: Effect of environmental contaminants on spermatogenesis.
abstract: Indiscriminate use of synthetic chemical compounds and the unregulated presence of heavy metals threatens the integral reproducibility of mankind and other living organisms. The toxicity of these compounds far outweighs the usefulness of these compounds. Male reproductive health is linked to the process of spermatogenesis and there is a general consensus that males are more sensitive to these environmental contaminants and so significantly affected when compared to their female counterparts. The review discusses the various toxic contaminants polluting the environment and the effect of these compounds on spermatogenesis and its relevance on male infertility in humans. It provides a detailed report on the chemical nature of few selected reprotoxicants like estrogen analogues, phthalates, dioxins, heavy metals and their action mechanism on various cellular targets that play a role in spermatogenesis with special highlights at the genetic and molecular levels. Understanding the toxicity of these compounds serves a dual purpose; to develop counter measures to protect ourselves from cellular damage and to use these compounds as a model to better understand the intricate process of spermatogenesis. The review would also help researchers formulate stringent regulations and usage restrictions in the synthesis of new compounds.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Bioinformatics, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Pranitha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jenardhanan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Bioinformatics, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Manivel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panneerselvam
authors.affiliation: Centre for Bioinformatics, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India; KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Electronic address: ppmathur@kiit.ac.in.
authors.forename: Premendu P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Mathur
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: BPA; Cadmium; Molecular mechanism; Phthalates; Reproductive toxicants; Spermatogenesis