Epidemiological studies report an increase of pathologies of male reproductive tracts and suggest a link between this trend and the increased exposure of men to endocrine disruptors (EDs). The mechanisms by which EDs impact male fertility are far to be elucidated although DNA, chromatin and epigenome of spermatozoa appear to be relevant targets for these molecules. Indeed, many studies report associations between increased levels of sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) or aberrant chromatin condensation or epigenetic modifications and poor semen quality and/or infertile phenotype. In this scenario, therapies able to reduce sperm damage to DNA, chromatin and epigenome are sought. Currently, antioxidants and FSH administration is proposed for treating high levels of sDF, but whether or not such therapies are really effective is still debated. Further studies are necessary to understand the link between endocrine disruptor exposure and damage to sperm function and/or structure and thus to define effective therapeutic strategies.
Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism. 2018 Nov 03 [Epub ahead of print]
Monica Muratori, Christian De Geyter
Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Sexual Medicine and Andrology, Center of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, I-50139, Firenze, Italy. Electronic address: ., Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Endocrinology (RME), University Hospital, University of Basel, Vogesenstrasse 134, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: .