Male reproductive function

Compounds Affecting Rq>roduction Compounds that can affect reproductive function include several drugs and occupationally important chemicals such as solvents and pesticides as well as a number of environmentally relevant com-fxrunds. A group of chemical compounds that has received much attention recently is endocrine disrupters, many of which are halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g., PCBs. These are known to induce feminization in fish and other animal species.1.5/ There is intense debate about the significance of these compounds to human health. Tobacco smoke and ethyl alcohol also have major effects on human reproduction, the effects of alcohol being especially important. Table 5.17 lists compounds that may disturb the functions of female and male reproductive functions. 

Zenick H, Blackburn K, Hope E, et al. 1984. Effects of trichloroethylene exposure on male reproductive function in rats. Toxicology 31 237-250. 

Not specified Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine Lead and male reproductive function, evaluate impact of changes in indicators of semen quality and reproductive hormones as function of occupational lead exposure ILZRO... 

Griffin JE. Male reproductive function. In Griffin JE and Ojeda SR (eds.). Textbook of Endocrine Physiology. New York Oxford University, 1992 169-188. 

Data from a single study of the effects of chloroprene on male reproductive function, reported in a review article (Sanotskii, 1976), were inadequate for evaluation by the Working Group. 

W. C. (1986). Effects of marijuana on male reproductive function. Psychiatric Annals, 16, 243-248. 

Chia SE (2000) Endocrine disruptors and male reproductive function - A short review. International Journal of Andrology 23(Suppl. 2) 45-46. 

Aravindakshan J, Gregory M, Marcogliese DJ, et al. Consumption of xenoe-strogen-contaminated fish during lactation alters male reproductive function. Toxicol Sci 2004 81(1) 179-89. 

Fly ash from municipal waste and industrial waste incinerators contains polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), including tetrachlorodibenzo-/j-dioxin (TCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), which are lipophiles, and heavy metals, including chromium, copper, manganese, vanadium, and lead, which are hydrophilesJ29-31 These chemicals have multiple toxicities and are known to impact the human liver, immune system, respiratory system, thyroid, male reproductive function, and CNS J32 34l Several are human carcinogensJ32 35 Enhanced toxic effects are observed in the mixtures of some of theseJ21,22 36 The mixtures of toxicants present in fly ash are complex and the mechanisms for their action on the human body are largely unknown. It is known that occupational exposure to fly... 

Many of the observed Great Lakes region toxic effects are attributed to persistent toxic chemical compounds. TCDD is associated with human thyroid hormone fluctuation, problems in male reproductive function, and neurological malfunction. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and methyl mercury (MeHg) are associated with human thyroid hormone fluctuation, problems in female reproductive function, neurological and neurodevelopmental problems. These effects, summarized in Table 13.1, illustrate the difficulty in attributing a particular toxic effect to a single chemical, particularly when one considers the potential impacts of thousands of other chemicals. 

Among the other causes of male infertility are anatomical abnormalities, abnormal spermatogenesis, abnormal motility, and psychosocial causes. A list of drugs that can affect male reproductive function is given in Table 53-3. 

TABLE 53-3 Drugs and Chemicals Affecting Male Reproductive Function... 

Dalterio SL (1980) Perinatal or adult exposure to cannabinoids alter male reproductive functions in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 12 143-153... 

Sager DB. 1983. Effect of postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls on adult male reproductive function. Environ Res 31 76-94. 

Dalterio S, Bartke A. 1979. Perinatal exposure to cannabinoids alter male reproductive function in mice. Science 205 1420-1422. 

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