环境污染物对精子损伤机制的研究进展

Research Progress on the Mechanisms of Sperm Damage Caused by Environmental Pollutants

越来越多的研究表明,环境污染是多种生物生殖力下降的主要原因之一,而精子作为雄性生物的生殖细胞,因高度分化丧失了自我修复能力,极易受环境因素的胁迫。但环境污染物致生物体精子损伤机制的研究目前尚缺乏完整、系统的体系。本文在总结近年来国内外相关研究的基础上,从环境污染物诱导精子产生氧化应激、改变生精细胞的细胞周期、诱导正常生精细胞发生细胞凋亡和扰乱生物体雄激素水平4个方面综合探讨了环境污染物损害精子形态结构、功能以及降低精子数量的潜在作用模式,为开发精子损伤的早期特异性分子标记物奠定了理论基础,同时也为污染物致精子损伤的机制研究提供新的思路。

More and more studies have shown that environmental pollution is a major factor contributing to the occurring fertility decline in the whole world. Sperm, the male reproductive cell, possesses relatively limited self-repair capacity due to its small amount of cytoplasm and organelle, and thereby it is highly susceptible to damage from environmental toxicants. However, the studies aimed at underlying the mechanisms of sperm damage caused by environmental pollutants still lack complete systems. Based on relevant researches in China and abroad, this paper reviewed the mode of toxic action of environmental pollutants that caused decreased sperm count and deteriorated sperm quality, including inducing oxidative stress, changing cell cycle of the spermatogenic cells, accelerating apoptosis of the normal spermatogenic cells and impairing the androgen levels in males. The present review can provide theoretical basis to possibly develop early specific molecular markers for identifying damaged sperms, as well as offer new thoughts for future studies.