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Jacqueline M. Moline,¹ Anne L. Golden,¹ Natan Bar-Chama,² Ernest Smith,³ Molly E. Rauch,¹ Robert E. Chapin,⁴ Sally D. Perreault,⁵ Steven M. Schrader,⁶ William A. Suk,⁴ and Philip J. Landrigan¹

¹Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
²Department of Urology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
³Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Technical University/TTU Health Science Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
⁴National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
⁵U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
⁶National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Abstract

The discovery in the mid-1970s that occupational exposures to pesticides could diminish or destroy the fertility of workers sparked concern about the effects of hazardous substances on male reproductive health. More recently, there is evidence that sperm quantity and quality may have declined worldwide, that the incidence of testicular cancer has progressively increased in many countries, and that other disorders of the male reproductive tract such as hypospadias and cryptorchidism may have also increased. There is growing concern that occupational factors and environmental chemical exposures, including in utero and childhood exposures to compounds with estrogenic activity, may be correlated with these observed changes in male reproductive health and fertility. We review the evidence and methodologies that have contributed to our current understanding of environmental effects on male reproductive health and fertility and discuss the methodologic issues which confront investigators in this area. One of the greatest challenges confronting researchers in this area is assessing and comparing results from existing studies. We elaborate recommendations for future research. Researchers in the field of male reproductive health should continue working to prioritize hazardous substances ; elucidate the magnitude of male reproductive health effects, particularly in the areas of testicular cancer, hypospadias, and cryptorchidism ; develop biomarkers of exposure to reproductive toxins and of reproductive health effects for research and clinical use ; foster collaborative interdisciplinary research ; and recognize the importance of standardized laboratory methods and sample archiving. Key words: hazardous substances, male reproductive health, research, semen quality. Environ Health Perspect 108:803-813 (2000) . [Online 21 July 2000]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2000/108p803-813moline/ abstract.html

Address correspondence to J. Moline, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Box 1057, 1 Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA. Telephone: (212) 241-4792. Fax: (212) 996-0407. E-mail: jacqueline.moline@mssm.edu

This work was supported by NIH grant ES07198 (Superfund) from the NIEHS. Further support for the Hazardous Substances and Male Reproductive Health conference was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the New York Academy of Medicine.

The contents of this work are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIEHS, NIH. This document has been reviewed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

Received 24 January 2000 ; accepted 20 March 2000.