Pesticides male infertility

Table 23.3 Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Associated with Male Infertility Pesticides...

There has been a significant increase in male infertility over the past three-quarters of the century. This time frame corresponds to one where dramatic increases in the use of pesticides and other synthetic chemicals have occurred. Many different chemicals have been associated with male infertility including pesticides, heavy metals, dioxins, PCBs, phthalates, and others. 

As discussed earlier, male infertility has been associated with exposures to xenobiotic chemicals. Though affects have been reported for single chemicals, most are based on laboratory testing on animals, since most environmental exposures to humans come from mixtures. Some data, however, has been collected from infertility induced by industrial and environmental exposures. Table 23.3 contains a partial list of chemicals associated with male infertility. I48,58-66 These chemicals include pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals. 

A case-control study of the effects of occupational exposures on male infertility found that a mixture of styrene = 2.95) and acetone = —0.24) affects the male genital system and leads to impotence, infertility, and increased SABs in their wives [77]. Similar effects were reported following workplace exposures to pesticides, heavy metals, and other chemicals. No mechanism(s) for the actions of these chemicals were reported. 

Whorton D, Krauss RM, Marshall S, et al Infertility in male pesticide workers. Lancet 2 1259-1261, 1977... 

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