Environmental Toxicants and Testicular Apoptosis

Abstract

When apoptosis is improperly activated or regulated in the testis, infertility or even cancer can result. Studies have implicated elevated rates of apoptosis in infertile male patients. Pinpointing how environmental toxicity affects apoptosis is important for the advancement of preventative medicine and behavior, especially as potentially harmful compounds continue to proliferate in households and workplaces. Moreover, familiarity with testicular processes, particularly the induction of apoptosis, is essential for promoting male fertility. This review examines environmental toxicants that have been implicated in testicular apoptosis. We elucidate the mechanistic pathways through which specific xenobiotic compounds trigger cell death in the testis. This review highlights the role of oxidative stress in mediating these apoptotic actions.