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Environmental pollutants: genetic damage and epigenetic changes in male germ cells

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Abstract

About a quarter of the human diseases occurs for exposure to air pollution. The male reproductive system, and especially spermatogenesis, seems to be particularly sensitive. As result, male infertility is increasing in industrial countries becoming a top priority for public health. In addition to psychological distress and economic constraints, poorer semen quality may have trans-generational effects including congenital malformations in the offspring and predispose to later onset adult diseases. Genetic and epigenetic alterations are involved in the failure of spermatogenesis. In this paper, we reviewed the major evidences of the effects of air pollutants on male infertility as well as the role of sperm DNA damage and epigenetic changes in affecting spermatogenesis. A better knowledge on the effects of air contaminants on the molecular mechanisms leading to infertility is of huge importance to help clinicians in identifying the cause of infertility but above all, in defining preventive and therapeutic protocols.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Clinical Physiology-CNR, via G.Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Cecilia Vecoli & Maria Grazia Andreassi

  2. Andrology Unit of the “San Francesco d’Assisi” Hospital - ASL Salerno, EcoFoodFertility Project Coordination Unit, via M. Clemente, 84020, Oliveto Citra, SA, Italy

    Luigi Montano

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  1. Cecilia Vecoli
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  2. Luigi Montano
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  3. Maria Grazia Andreassi
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Correspondence to Cecilia Vecoli.

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Vecoli, C., Montano, L. & Andreassi, M.G. Environmental pollutants: genetic damage and epigenetic changes in male germ cells. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 23339–23348 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7728-4

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