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Han Y, Liu Z, Lu L, Wang B, Li W, Yuan X, Ding J, Zhang H, Liu J. Tetrabromobisphenol A reduces male rats reproductive organ coefficients and disrupting sexual hormone by causing oxidative stress. Toxicology 2024; 505:153837. [PMID: 38763426 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) has become a topic of public attention due to its pervasive detection in the environment and organisms in recent decades. However, limited information is available regarding the toxicity of TBBPA on reproductive ability of male mammals. Herein, the reproductive toxicity of TBBPA was investigated in male rats to fill the knowledge gap. In this study, male rats were exposed to TBBPA (0, 10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. Subsequently, body and organ indexes, histopathological evaluation of testis and epididymis, ultrastructural observation of sperm, testosterone and progesterone levels, and oxidative stress indicators were conducted to reveal corresponding mechanisms. Results obtained showed that compare to the control group, the body weight, testes weight, epididymis weight, seminal vesicle and coagulation glands weight of rats in the 1000 mg/kg group lost 8.30%, 16.84%, 20.16%, 19.72% and 26.42%, respectively. Intriguingly, exposure to TBBPA (10, 100, 100 mg/kg) resulted in substantial pathological damage in testis, epididymis and sperm. TBBPA exposure also increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents, as well as superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in testicular tissue. What's more, the testosterone and progesterone levels in male rat serum were significantly decreased after exposure to TBBPA for 6 weeks. Meanwhile, results of molecular docking showed that TBBPA has a strong affinity with estrogen receptors (ERs). These findings demonstrated that TBBPA exposure negatively impacts the reproductive ability of male rats, thus providing new insights for risk assessment for reproductive health under TBBPA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Han
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Zhiquan Liu
- School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Liping Lu
- School of Public Health Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Binhao Wang
- School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Wenbing Li
- School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xia Yuan
- School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Jiafeng Ding
- School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Hangjun Zhang
- School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
| | - Jing Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Department of Hematology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
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Chronister BNC, Justo D, Wood RJ, Lopez-Paredes D, Gonzalez E, Suarez-Torres J, Gahagan S, Martinez D, Jacobs DR, Checkoway H, Jankowska MM, Suarez-Lopez JR. Sex and adrenal hormones in association with insecticide biomarkers among adolescents living in ecuadorian agricultural communities. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 259:114386. [PMID: 38703462 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Organophosphate, pyrethroid, and neonicotinoid insecticides have resulted in adrenal and gonadal hormone disruption in animal and in vitro studies; limited epidemiologic evidence exists in humans. We assessed relationships of urinary insecticide metabolite concentrations with adrenal and gonadal hormones in adolescents living in Ecuadorean agricultural communities. METHODS In 2016, we examined 522 Ecuadorian adolescents (11-17y, 50.7% female, 22% Indigenous; ESPINA study). We measured urinary insecticide metabolites, blood acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), and salivary testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 17β-estradiol, and cortisol. We used general linear models to assess linear (β = % hormone difference per 50% increase of metabolite concentration) and curvilinear relationships (β2 = hormone difference per unit increase in squared ln-metabolite) between ln-metabolite or AChE and ln-hormone concentrations, stratified by sex, adjusting for anthropometric, demographic, and awakening response variables. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression was used to assess non-linear associations and interactions. RESULTS The organophosphate metabolite malathion dicarboxylic acid (MDA) had positive associations with testosterone (βboys = 5.88% [1.21%, 10.78%], βgirls = 4.10% [-0.02%, 8.39%]), and cortisol (βboys = 6.06 [-0.23%, 12.75%]. Para-nitrophenol (organophosphate) had negatively-trending curvilinear associations, with testosterone (β2boys = -0.17 (-0.33, -0.003), p = 0.04) and DHEA (β2boys = -0.49 (-0.80, -0.19), p = 0.001) in boys. The neonicotinoid summary score (βboys = 5.60% [0.14%, 11.36%]) and the neonicotinoid acetamiprid-N-desmethyl (βboys = 3.90% [1.28%, 6.58%]) were positively associated with 17β-estradiol, measured in boys only. No associations between the pyrethroid 3-phenoxybenzoic acid and hormones were observed. In girls, bivariate response associations identified interactions of MDA, Para-nitrophenol, and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (organophosphates) with testosterone and DHEA concentrations. In boys, we observed an interaction of MDA and Para-nitrophenol with DHEA. No associations were identified for AChE. CONCLUSIONS We observed evidence of endocrine disruption for specific organophosphate and neonicotinoid metabolite exposures in adolescents. Urinary organophosphate metabolites were associated with testosterone and DHEA concentrations, with stronger associations in boys than girls. Urinary neonicotinoids were positively associated with 17β-estradiol. Longitudinal repeat-measures analyses would be beneficial for causal inference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana N C Chronister
- The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Denise Justo
- The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Robert J Wood
- The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - Eduardo Gonzalez
- The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - Sheila Gahagan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - David R Jacobs
- School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Harvey Checkoway
- The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Marta M Jankowska
- Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Jose R Suarez-Lopez
- The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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Erthal-Michelato RP, Quadreli DH, Zaninelli TH, Verri WA, Fernandes GSA. Lower malathion concentrations reduce testosterone biosynthesis by Leydig TM3 cells in vitro by altering cellular redox profile and inducing oxidative damage. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 126:108595. [PMID: 38641014 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Malathion is an organophosphate pesticide used in agriculture and control of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. As previous reports have indicated the potential of malathion to compromise testosterone production in in vivo models, the objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the impairment of Leydig cell function, considering its critical role in male reproductive function. To this end, murine Leydig TM3 cells were exposed to concentrations of 1, 10, 100 or 1000 μM malathion for 24 h for evaluation of the compound on cell viability. Subsequently, concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 μM malathion were employed for a 24-h period to assess testosterone biosynthesis, levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α, as well as the redox profile. Malathion exerted a concentration-dependent impact on cell viability. Notably, the lower concentrations of malathion (1 and 10 μM) were found to impair testosterone biosynthesis in TM3 cells. While there were changes in IL-1 and TNF-α levels at specific concentrations, no direct correlation with altered hormone production was established. Our investigation revealed that varied malathion concentrations induced oxidative stress by increase in superoxide anion and a compensatory rise in antioxidants. In conclusion, the observed changes in the oxidative profile of TM3 cells were linked to functional impairment, evidenced by reduced testosterone biosynthesis at lower malathion concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Pires Erthal-Michelato
- Department of General Biology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná 86057-970, Brazil; Department of General Pathology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná 86057-970, Brazil.
| | - Débora Hipólito Quadreli
- Department of General Biology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Tiago Henrique Zaninelli
- Department of General Pathology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Waldiceu Aparecido Verri
- Department of General Pathology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Glaura Scantamburlo Alves Fernandes
- Department of General Biology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná 86057-970, Brazil
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Erthal-Michelato RP, Frigoli GF, de Aquino AM, Punhagui-Umbelino APF, Scarano WR, Fernandes GSA. Low doses of malathion impair ovarian, uterine, and follicular integrity by altering oxidative profile and gene expression of rats exposed during the peripubertal period. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:21721-21736. [PMID: 38393561 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32494-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Malathion serves as a pivotal pesticide in agriculture and the management of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Despite its widespread use, there is a notable absence of studies elucidating the mechanisms through which malathion may affect the female reproductive system. Consequently, the objective of this investigation was to assess whether exposing juvenile female rats to low doses of malathion during the juvenile and peripubertal periods could compromise pubertal onset, estradiol levels, and the integrity of the ovaries and uterus while also examining the underlying mechanisms of damage. To achieve this, thirty juvenile female rats were subjected to either a vehicle or malathion (10 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg) between postnatal days 22 and 60, with subsequent verification of pubertal onset. Upon completion of the exposure period, blood samples were collected for estradiol assessment. The ovaries and uterus were then examined to evaluate histological integrity, oxidative stress, and the expression of genes associated with cell proliferation, antiapoptotic responses, and endocrine pathways. Although estradiol levels and pubertal onset remained unaffected, exposure to malathion compromised the integrity and morphometry of the ovaries and uterus. This was evidenced by altered oxidative profiles and changes in the expression of genes regulating the cell cycle, anti-apoptotic processes, and endocrine pathways. Our findings underscore the role of malathion in inducing cell proliferation, promoting cell survival, and causing oxidative damage to the female reproductive system in rats exposed during peripubertal periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Pires Erthal-Michelato
- Department of General Biology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina (UEL), Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
- Department of General Pathology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina (UEL), Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Fachetti Frigoli
- Department of General Biology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina (UEL), Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
- Department of General Pathology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina (UEL), Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Ariana Musa de Aquino
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Franco Punhagui-Umbelino
- Department of General Biology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina (UEL), Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
- Department of General Pathology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina (UEL), Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Wellerson Rodrigo Scarano
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Glaura Scantamburlo Alves Fernandes
- Department of General Biology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina (UEL), Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil.
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Delorenzi Schons D, Leite GAA. Malathion or diazinon exposure and male reproductive toxicity: a systematic review of studies performed with rodents. Crit Rev Toxicol 2023; 53:506-520. [PMID: 37922518 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2270494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
Malathion and diazinon are pesticides commonly used in agriculture to avoid insects that damage crops; however, they may cause impairment to the male genital system of exposed humans. The present work carried out a systematic review of the literature concerning the primary studies that assessed the reproductive effects resulting from male rats and mice exposed to malathion or diazinon. The search for articles was performed on the databases PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and SciELO, using different combinations of the search terms "malathion," "diazinon," "mice," "rats," "male reproduction," "fertility," and "sperm," followed by the Boolean operators AND or OR. The results obtained indicate that both pesticides act as reproductive toxicants by reducing sperm quality, diminishing hormonal concentrations, inducing increased oxidative stress, and provoking histopathological damage in reproductive organs. Then, the exposure to malathion and diazinon may provoke diminished levels of testosterone by increasing acetylcholine stimulation in the testis through muscarinic receptors, thus, providing a reduction in steroidogenic activity in Leydig cells, whose effect is related to lower levels of testosterone in rodents, and consequently, it is associated with decreased fertility. Considering the toxic effects on the male genital system of rodents and the possible male reproductive toxicity in humans, it is recommended the decreased use of these pesticides and their replacement for others that show no or few toxic effects for non-target animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Delorenzi Schons
- Laboratório de Reprodução e Toxicologia (Laretox), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Adan Araújo Leite
- Laboratório de Reprodução e Toxicologia (Laretox), Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
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Pupim ACE, Basso CR, Machado CCA, Watanabe PS, Fernandes GSA, ErthalL RP, Sodré GBC, Guarnier FA, Simão ANC, Araújo EJA. Long-term and low dose oral malathion exposure causes morphophysiological changes in the colon of rats. Life Sci 2023; 327:121840. [PMID: 37290667 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malathion (MAL) is an organophosphate insecticide that inhibits cholinesterases, used to control pests in agriculture and to combat mosquitoes that transmit various arboviruses. As acetylcholine is one of the major neurotransmitters of the enteric nervous system (ENS), humans exposed to MAL by ingestion of contaminated food and water can develop symptoms due disfunction of the gastrointestinal tract. Although the deleterious effects after exposure to high doses are recognized, little is known about the long-term and low-dose effects of this pesticide on the structure and motility of the colon. AIMS to evaluate the effects of prolonged oral exposure to low levels of MAL on the wall structure and colonic motility parameters of young rats. MAIN METHODS The animals were divided into three groups: control, and groups that received 10 or 50 mg/kg of MAL via gavage for 40 days. The colon was collected for histological analysis and analysis of the ENS through the evaluation of total neurons and subpopulations of the myenteric and submucosal plexuses. Cholinesterase activity and functional analyzes of the colon were evaluated. KEY FINDINGS MAL treatments (10 and 50 mg/Kg) reduced the butyrylcholinesterase activity, and caused enlargement of faecal pellets, atrophy of muscle layers and several changes in neurons of both myenteric and submucosal plexi. Considering colonic contraction, MAL (50 mg/Kg) increased the number of retrograde colonic migratory motor complexes. SIGNIFICANCE The long-term exposure to low doses of MAL affects colonic morphophysiology, which highlights the need to intensify control and care in the use of this pesticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C E Pupim
- Department of Histology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - C R Basso
- Department of Histology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - C C A Machado
- Department of Histology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - P S Watanabe
- Department of Histology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - G S A Fernandes
- Department of General Biology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - R P ErthalL
- Department of General Biology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - G B C Sodré
- Department of Histology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - F A Guarnier
- Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - A N C Simão
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Analysis and Toxicology, State University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - E J A Araújo
- Department of Histology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
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Rajkumar A, Luu T, Hales BF, Robaire B. High Content Imaging Analyses of the Effects of Bisphenols and Organophosphate Esters on TM4 Mouse Sertoli Cells. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:858-868. [PMID: 35596243 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocrine disruptive effects of bisphenol A (BPA) and brominated flame retardants (BDE-47) have led to restrictions to their use and increased the pressure to identify safe replacements for these chemicals. Although there is evidence that some of these alternatives may be toxic to spermatogonial and Leydig cells, little is known about the toxicity of emerging replacements on Sertoli cells, one of the major testicular cell types. We used high-content imaging to compare the effects of legacy chemicals, BPA and BDE-47, to their corresponding replacements. TM4 Sertoli cells were exposed for 48 h to each chemical (0.001-100 μM) followed by cytotoxicity and phenotypic endpoint assessment. The benchmark concentration (BMC) potency ranking for bisphenols based on cytotoxicity was BPTMC>BPM > BPAF>BPF > BPS > BPA. Human administered equivalent dose (AED) determination ranked BPS as most potent alternative replacement studied. The BMC potency ranking of BDE-47 and organophosphate esters based on cytotoxicity was TDtBPP>BDMPP>TBOEP>TDCPP>TMPP>TPHP> BDE47 > IPPP=BPDP = TCPP. Additionally, TM4 cell exposure to BDE-47 increased Calcein intensity (57.9 μM) and affected lysosomes (21.6 μM), while exposure to TPHP and TMPP resulted in cellular oxidative stress changes at BMC values as low as 0.01 μM and 0.4 μM, respectively. Overall bioactivity considerations of the chemicals on TM4 via ToxPi analyses and AED modeling further validated emerging replacements as highly potent chemicals in comparison to BPA and BDE-47. These findings demonstrate that many bisphenol and flame retardant replacements are more potent in Sertoli cells than the legacy chemical they are replacing, and that phenotypic parameter assessment is an effective tool in chemical toxicity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abishankari Rajkumar
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3G 1Y6
| | - Trang Luu
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3G 1Y6
| | - Barbara F Hales
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3G 1Y6
| | - Bernard Robaire
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3G 1Y6.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. H3G 1Y6
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Pesticides and Male Fertility: A Dangerous Crosstalk. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11120799. [PMID: 34940557 PMCID: PMC8707831 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11120799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, an increasing incidence of male infertility has been reported. Interestingly, and considering that pesticides have been used for a long time, the high incidence of this pathological state is concomitant with the increasing use of these chemicals, suggesting they are contributors for the development of human infertility. Data from literature highlight the ability of certain pesticides and/or their metabolites to persist in the environment for long periods of time, as well as to bioaccumulate in the food chain, thus contributing for their chronic exposure. Furthermore, pesticides can act as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), interfering with the normal function of natural hormones (which are responsible for the regulation of the reproductive system), or even as obesogens, promoting obesity and associated comorbidities, like infertility. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have focused on the effects and possible mechanisms of action of these pesticides on the male reproductive system that cause sundry negative effects, even though through diverse mechanisms, but all may lead to infertility. In this review, we present an up-to-date overview and discussion of the effects, and the metabolic and molecular features of pesticides on somatic cells and germinal tissues that affect germ cell differentiation.
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