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Environmental Insults on Spermatogenesis

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Biennial Review of Infertility

Abstract

The frequency of defective spermatogenesis and accompanying decreases in sperm parameters such as sperm count and motility appears to be on the increase. Arguably one of the most compelling reasons for this phenomenon is the influence of environmental factors on male reproduction. Despite spermatogenesis being a function of only the mature testis, environmental insults during maternal, perinatal, and prepubertal phases can indirectly influence eventual sperm production in the adult male. It is believed that exposure during these phases of the developing testis leads to irreversible effects on spermatogenesis, while the accompanying effects of adulthood exposure are in all probability reversible. This chapter explores the various environmental factors that can influence spermatogenesis, both directly and indirectly (i.e., exposure during all the stages from the developing fetus all the way up to and in the adult male). In this overview, not only are the effects of environmental chemicals and toxins discussed, but the focus is also on several lifestyle factors and occupational exposure that can impinge on the process of sperm production. Furthermore, the role of epigenetic defects that can result in defects in transgenerational inheritance due to environmental insults is also investigated briefly. Despite the lack of conclusive studies, it is evident from this overview that there are enough compelling reasons to believe that the future of male gamete production may be actively affected by the environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Medical Physiology, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa

    Ashok Agarwal

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  1. Stefan S. du Plessis
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  2. Ashok Agarwal
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Correspondence to Ashok Agarwal .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham & Women's Hospital, Dept. Obstetrics & Gynecology, Harvard Medical School, Francis St. 75, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Catherine Racowsky

  2. Weill Cornell Medical Center, Dept. Urology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, East 68th St. 525, New York, 10021, New York, USA

    Peter N. Schlegel

  3. , Department of Reproductive Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, Utrecht, 3508 GA, Netherlands

    Bart C. Fauser

  4. Departments of Surgery (Urology), Obstetrics & Gynecology & Physiology, Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Arapeen Dr. 675, Salt Lake City, 84108, Utah, USA

    Douglas T. Carrell

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du Plessis, S.S., Agarwal, A. (2011). Environmental Insults on Spermatogenesis. In: Racowsky, C., Schlegel, P., Fauser, B., Carrell, D. (eds) Biennial Review of Infertility. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8456-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8456-2_11

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