Effects of chlorinated hydrocarbons on sperm function in vitro

Abstract

For the past few years there has been controversial discussion of whether environmental pollutants in general, and chlorinated hydrocarbons in particular, may impair male fertility. Organochlorine compounds, e.g. dichlorodiphenyltrichlorothane (DDT) and metabolites, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are highly persistent in the environment and there is therefore some concern about human exposure. These chlorinated compounds are universally found in human body fluids. Substantial amounts are detected in human body fluids associated with reproduction such as follicular fluid, seminal fluid and cervical mucus. The available data on male fertility and organochlorines are scarce and controversial. Fertilization rates in in vitro fertilization procedures were found to be decreased in couples in whom the male partner was exposed to pesticides. Data on the effects of PCBs on human sperm motility and acrosome reaction in vitro are controversial. Various PCDD congeners had no effect on human sperm motility in vitro. Effects of chlorinated hydrocarbons on sperm function in vivo seem to be unlikely since the concentrations used in vitro were far higher than those found in fluids of the human reproductive tract. However, negative effects on human spermatozoa in vivo cannot be totally excluded because other organohalogen compounds can be identified in the genital tract and little is known about their synergistic effects.

Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Acephate on Human Sperm

“…Results obtained from the present study indicated that acephate impairs sperm motility, sperm viability, membrane integrity, and sperm capacitation and induced DNA damage in vitro. Similar results were obtained with chlorinated hydrocarbon [19], organophosphates [20, 21], and benzene metabolites [22]. …”

Distribution of persistent organochlorine contaminants in infertile patients from Tanzania and Germany

“…An adverse effect of DDT on male rat fertility was hypothesized [19]. Pflieger-Bruss and Schill reviewed the literature and noted that it might be unlikely that pesticides in vivo could affect sperm function, since in vivo concentrations are far lower than those used in in vitro experiments [20]. This was confirmed by a study having examined semen of 156 patients of an infertility unit in Germany.…”

Apoptosis in bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl mixtures during in vitro maturation

“…Particularly, PCBs have been reported to decrease implantation rate and litter size in mice and rats (Lindner et al 1974) and to cause reproductive failure in mink (Platonow & Karstad 1973). Several reports described the presence of various environmental pollutants, including PCBs, in human follicular fluid (Trapp et al 1984, Pflieger-Bruss & Schill 2000 and human ovarian tissue (Mes 1990).…”