No abstract

No abstract

Isoflavone is a phytoestrogen found in different types of food that can act as endocrine disrupters leading to testicular dysfunction. Currently, fragmented data on the action of this compound in the testicles make it difficult to assess its effects to define a safe dose. Thus, we systematically reviewed the preclinical evidence of the impact of isoflavone on testicular function. We also determined which form (aglycones or glycosylated) was the most used, which allowed us to understand the main biological processes involved in testicular function after isoflavone exposure. This systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines using a structured search on the biomedical databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science, recovering and analyzing 22 original studies. The bias analysis and the quality of the studies were assessed by the criteria described in the risk of bias tool developed by SYRCLE (Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation). The aglycones and glycosylated isoflavones proved to be harmful to the reproductive health, and the glycosylates at doses of 50, 100, 146, 200, 300, 500, and 600 mg/kg, in addition to 190 and 1000 mg/L, appear to be even more harmful. The main testicular pathologies resulting from the use of isoflavones are associated with Leydig cells resulting from changes in molecular functions and cellular components. The most used isoflavone to evaluate testicular changes was the genistein/daidzein conjugate. The consumption of high doses of isoflavones promotes changes in the functioning of Leydig cells, inducing testicular changes and leading to infertility in murine models.

Heavy metals are found naturally in the environment in small concentrations and the increase in their concentration occurs due to anthropogenic activities. Human exposure to heavy metals can induce various testicular damage. This study aimed to evaluate the action of the arsenate (As + 5), arsenite (As + 3), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium VI (Cr VI), and nickel (Ni) in the testicles of adult Swiss mice and establish an order of toxicity among these metals. Forty-two animals were randomly distributed into 7 experimental groups (n = 6). The control group received a saline solution and the other groups received 1.5 mg/kg of the heavy metal as follows: group 2 – As + 5, group 3 - As + 3, group 4 - Cd, group 5 - Pb, group 6 - Cr VI and group 7 - Ni. The administration was performed intraperitoneally in a single dose and the animals were euthanized seven days after exposure. Acute exposure to heavy metals induced functional, cellular, pathological, and oxidative stress alterations. The order of toxicity among the tested metals established by comparative damage analysis follows Ni > Cd > Cr VI = Pb > As + 3 > As + 5. In groups with higher toxicity, such as nickel and cadmium were observed functional changes, alterations in the testicular microstructure, and cell death. Based on our results, we can point out that the heavy metals tested can be harmful to male reproductive health in low doses and for a short period of exposure. Care must be greater taking into account the damage order defined in this work.

No abstract