153
© Springer Nature B.V. 2020
G. Sindona et al. (eds.), Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents, NATO Science
for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2041-8_10
Chapter 10
An Overview of Male Reproductive
Toxicants: Facts and Opinions
Charles Pineau
Abstract A large variety of exogenous molecules such as therapeutic drugs, agriculture and industrial chemicals, food additives and cosmetics are present in our
environment. The continuous exposure of humans to these chemicals raises crucial
questions about its impact on health. The male reproductive system has emerged as
one of the major toxicity targets of environmental toxicants. In industrialized countries, male infertility caused by exposure to environmental toxicants is becoming a
crucial problem. In this review, we will discuss the anatomy of the male reproductive system, in particular that of the testis and epididymis, and reflect on the known
mechanisms by which exposure to toxicants contribute to unwanted effects on spermatogenesis. Finally, we will present the relevance of Matrix-Assisted Laser
Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) Imaging Mass Spectrometry for studying the distribution of small exogenous molecules such as drugs and their metabolites in male
reproductive organs and perform whole-body distribution studies on animal models.
Keywords Testis · Epididymis · Endocrine disruptors · Imaging Mass
Spectrometry · Reproductive toxicants
10.1 Introduction
A wide variety of exogenous molecules such as agriculture and industrial chemicals, food additives, cosmetics and therapeutic drugs are present in our environment, i.e., in food, air, water and soil, but also in animals and plants. The continuous
C. Pineau (*)
Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et
travail) – UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
Protim, Université de Rennes, Rennes, France
e-mail: charles.pineau@univ-rennes1.fr
© Springer Nature B.V. 2020
G. Sindona et al. (eds.), Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents, NATO Science
for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2041-8_10
Chapter 10
An Overview of Male Reproductive
Toxicants: Facts and Opinions
Charles Pineau
Abstract A large variety of exogenous molecules such as therapeutic drugs, agriculture and industrial chemicals, food additives and cosmetics are present in our
environment. The continuous exposure of humans to these chemicals raises crucial
questions about its impact on health. The male reproductive system has emerged as
one of the major toxicity targets of environmental toxicants. In industrialized countries, male infertility caused by exposure to environmental toxicants is becoming a
crucial problem. In this review, we will discuss the anatomy of the male reproductive system, in particular that of the testis and epididymis, and reflect on the known
mechanisms by which exposure to toxicants contribute to unwanted effects on spermatogenesis. Finally, we will present the relevance of Matrix-Assisted Laser
Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) Imaging Mass Spectrometry for studying the distribution of small exogenous molecules such as drugs and their metabolites in male
reproductive organs and perform whole-body distribution studies on animal models.
Keywords Testis · Epididymis · Endocrine disruptors · Imaging Mass
Spectrometry · Reproductive toxicants
10.1 Introduction
A wide variety of exogenous molecules such as agriculture and industrial chemicals, food additives, cosmetics and therapeutic drugs are present in our environment, i.e., in food, air, water and soil, but also in animals and plants. The continuous
C. Pineau (*)
Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et
travail) – UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
Protim, Université de Rennes, Rennes, France
e-mail: charles.pineau@univ-rennes1.fr