Pesticides and Male Fertility: A Dangerous Crosstalk

Abstract

In recent decades, an increasing incidence of male infertility has been reported. Interestingly, and considering that pesticides have been used for a long time, the high incidence of this pathological state is concomitant with the increasing use of these chemicals, suggesting they are contributors for the development of human infertility. Data from literature highlight the ability of certain pesticides and/or their metabolites to persist in the environment for long periods of time, as well as to bioaccumulate in the food chain, thus contributing for their chronic exposure. Furthermore, pesticides can act as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), interfering with the normal function of natural hormones (which are responsible for the regulation of the reproductive system), or even as obesogens, promoting obesity and associated comorbidities, like infertility. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have focused on the effects and possible mechanisms of action of these pesticides on the male reproductive system that cause sundry negative effects, even though through diverse mechanisms, but all may lead to infertility. In this review, we present an up-to-date overview and discussion of the effects, and the metabolic and molecular features of pesticides on somatic cells and germinal tissues that affect germ cell differentiation.

Ameliorative effect of avocado oil against lufenuron induced testicular damage and infertility in male rats

“…These findings resulted from oxidative damage caused by an increment in MDA and NO levels, as well as a decrement in antioxidant enzyme activity (Saleh et al, 2020). We suggest that the germ cell death occurred via the intrinsic mechanism, also known as the mitochondrial pathway, resulting from an oxidative stress injury in this organelle, which was consistent with previous findings (Mohamed et al, 2019; Moreira et al, 2021).…”

“…Androgen hormone disruption, particularly testosterone, changed the function, histology, and morphometry analyses of reproductive organs such as the testes, epididymis, prostate gland, ductus deferens, seminal vesicle, ovary, and uterus, as well as caused changes in organ weight (Tehrani et al, 2013; Yusoff et al, 2021). Testosterone is produced by Leydig cells, which is required for spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, sexual performance in individuals, and the masculinization of the male foetus development (Moreira et al, 2021; Wang et al, 2017). Sertoli cells provide optimal care as a fuel source for progenitor cell maturation.…”

“…They predominantly produce lactate from glucose metabolism, which is then used to generate ATP by germ cells. Sertoli cells also form and maintain the blood‐testis barrier; therefore, germ cell development is halted if this barrier is breached (Moreira et al, 2021; Rato et al, 2012). Our findings show a decrease in testosterone levels and an increase in FSH and LH in lufenuron‐treated rats, this in agreement with Damodar et al (2011) that proposed insecticides cause disruption in reproductive hormone.…”

Kisspeptin as potential biomarker of environmental chemical mixture effect on reproductive hormone profile: A pilot study in adolescent males

“…Interestingly, the present study found that the pesticide mixture was associated with decreasing levels of LH, a key regulator of spermatogenesis initiation and maintenance (Moreira et al, 2021). This association could be explained based on the negative-feedback mechanism on the HPG axis.…”

“…However, whether effect could be produced centrally, as observed for BPA, remains unknown. Secondly, by external interaction with Leydig cells, which decreases T circulating levels and activates the release of kisspeptin through the negative feedback triggered by the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis (Babakhanzadeh et al, 2020;Moreira et al, 2021). In this regard, dimethoate-exposed Leydig cells of male rats led to decreased T levels (Babakhanzadeh et al, 2020).…”