Toxic effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on sperm: Epidemiological and experimental evidence

As emerging organic contaminants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have aroused worldwide concern due to their environmental persistence, ubiquitous presence, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity. It has been demonstrated that PFASs can accumulate in human body and cause multiple adver...

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Published inFrontiers in endocrinology (Lausanne) Vol. 14; p. 1114463
Main Authors Sun, Zhangbei, Wen, Yiqian, Wang, Binhui, Deng, Shiyi, Zhang, Fan, Fu, Zhendong, Yuan, Yangyang, Zhang, Dalei
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 20.02.2023
Subjects
Endocrinology
Environmental Pollutants - toxicity
Fluorocarbons - toxicity
Humans
Male
male fecundity
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
reproductive toxicity
Semen
sperm
Spermatozoa
Testosterone
male fecundity
sperm
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
testosterone
reproductive toxicity
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ISSN1664-2392
1664-2392
DOI10.3389/fendo.2023.1114463

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Summary:As emerging organic contaminants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have aroused worldwide concern due to their environmental persistence, ubiquitous presence, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity. It has been demonstrated that PFASs can accumulate in human body and cause multiple adverse health outcomes. Notably, PFASs have been detected in the semen of human, posing a potential hazard to male fecundity. This article reviews the evidence about the toxic effects of exposure to PFASs on male reproduction, focusing on the sperm quality. Epidemiological studies showed that PFASs, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), were adversely associated with the semen parameters in humans, including sperm count, morphology and motility. Experimental results also confirmed that PFAS exposure led to testicular and epididymal damage, therefore impairing spermatogenesis and sperm quality. The mechanisms of reproductive toxicity of PFASs may be involved in blood-testosterone barrier destruction, testicular apoptosis, testosterone synthesis disorder, and membrane lipid composition alteration, oxidative stress and Ca 2+ influx in sperm. In conclusion, this review highlighted the potential threat of exposure to PFASs to human spermatozoa.
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Reviewed by: Xiaoning Zhang, Nantong University, China; Yuling Mi, Zhejiang University, China; Xinbao Ding, Cornell University, United States
These authors have contributed equally to this work
Edited by: Katja Teerds, Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands
This article was submitted to Reproduction, a section of the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology
ISSN:1664-2392
1664-2392
DOI:10.3389/fendo.2023.1114463