Impact of Environmental and Lifestyle Use of Chromium on Male Fertility: Focus on Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Male reproductive tissues are strongly susceptible to several environmental and lifestyle stressors. In general, male reproductive health is highly sensitive to oxidative stress, which results in reversible and/or irreversible changes in testosterone-producing cells, spermatogenesis, and sperm quality. Chromium compounds are widely used in the +3 and +6 valence states, as food supplements, and in the industrial field, respectively. Chromium (III) compounds, i.e., Cr(III)-tris-picolinate, [Cr(pic)3], known as chromium picolinate, are used as nutritional supplements for the control of diabetes, body weight, and muscular growth. However, previous studies showed that animal models exposed to chromium picolinate experienced degenerative changes in spermatogenesis. Contradictory results are documented in the literature and deserve discussion. Furthermore, the long-term effects of chromium picolinate on the antioxidant system of treated subjects have not been properly studied. Comprehensive studies on the role of this compound will help to establish the safe and useful use of chromium supplementation. On the other hand, chromium (VI) compounds are widely used in several industries, despite being well-known environmental pollutants (i.e., welding fumes). Chromium (VI) is known for its deleterious effects on male reproductive health as toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic. Previous studies have demonstrated severe lesions to mouse spermatogenesis after exposure to chromium (VI). However, workers worldwide are still exposed to hexavalent chromium, particularly in electronics and military industries. Data from the literature pinpoints mechanisms of oxidative stress induced by chromium compounds in somatic and germ cells that lead to apoptosis, thus underlining the impairment of fertility potential. In this review, we analyze the benefits and risks of chromium compounds on male fertility, as well as the mechanisms underlying (in)fertility outcomes. Although supplements with antioxidant properties may maximize male fertility, adverse effects need to be investigated and discussed.

Semen Quality Following Long-term Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde in China

“…[40][41][42] Additionally, antioxidant treatment has been shown to have a positive effect on semen quality. 43,44 Moreover, several antioxidant or oxidant compounds were found to alleviate oxidative damage in sperm caused by FA exposure. 34,37 SOD and GSHPx are antioxidant enzymes protecting cells against oxidative damage, and MDA is a oxidation parameter measuring lipid peroxidation.…”

Dietary high‐fructose reduces barrier proteins and activates mitogenic signalling in the testis of a rat model: Regulatory effects of kefir supplementation

“…Moreover, increased oxidative stress in testicular tissue was found to affect the fertilization capacity of sperm cells (Aitken & Clarkson., 1987). Increasing evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species derived from testicular macrophages could have an impact on the steroidogenesis capacity of Leydig cells and germ cell death (Pereira et al, 2021). In clinical assessment, majority of infertile males have elevated seminal reactive oxygen species and sperm DNA damage, and also decreased fertilization capacity (Agarwal et al, 2019).…”

Antioxidant Revival of Cucumis melo l. Modulates the Oxidant-antioxidant Status on Chromium VI Toxicity Induced Male Albino Rats

“…According to this hypothesis, chromium (VI) itself is not a cytotoxic agent but rather an oxygen free radical generator via cellular reduction to chromium (VI). (28) The hydroxyl radical is thought to be formed when chromium reduction intermediates combine with hydrogen peroxide (HO). which may eventually damage biomolecules like proteins, DNA, and membrane lipids, affecting cellular functioning and cell integrity As a result, an antioxidant research of C. melo L fruit aqueous extract indicated that it reduced lipid peroxide by 81 percent in the liver and 77 percent in the kidney when compared to their respective individuals.…”