The increase in the occurrence of defective spermatogenesis and other
important fertility issues in males evidenced over the past few decades have prompted
the research on the possible contribution of environmental factors to this adverse trend.
Environmental contaminants may act through different molecular targets in male
reproductive system, being able to disrupt the functioning of reproductive axis and,
consequently, testicular physiology and metabolism. In addition, endocrine disruptors
and environmental compounds that favor adipogenesis, namely obesogens, are also
related to the imbalance of tightly regulated metabolic processes and to a host of other
adverse reproductive outcomes. Such effects may result from an exposure during
gestation, prepubertal age or adulthood, emphasizing the importance of different
environmental impacts throughout the life course. Environmental contaminants may
also promote disturbances in the metabolic performance of the following generations,
through epigenetic modifications passed by male gametes. As society increasingly
introduces new potentially toxic substances into daily life, unveiling the molecular
pathways by which environmental contaminants induce toxicity that may end-up in
epigenetic modifications is imperative. Otherwise, a transgenerational susceptibility to
metabolic diseases may be favored. Herein, we discuss the suggested molecular targets
and potential mechanisms for environmental contaminants action and the subsequent
effects of exposure during different life stages of the male. We also present an up-todate
overview about the impact of endocrine disruptors and obesogens on male
reproductive health, as well as the epigenetic modifications induced by these
environmental cues.
Keywords: Environmental contaminants, Endocrine disruptors, Epigenetic
modifications, Glucose metabolism, Lipid metabolism, Male fertility, Molecular
toxicology, Obesogens, Spermatogenesis, Sertoli cells, Sperm quality,
Transgenerational effects.
