Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Impair Men’s Reproductive Health

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are thought to alter the body's hormonal balance by replicating the activity of naturally occurring estrogen.  EDCs are everpresent in an array of commonly available food, textiles, drugs, household, and personal-care products such as plastic bottles, toys, and cosmetics.  Timo Strunker, from the Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (Germany), and colleagues studied the action of 96 ubiquitous EDCs on human sperm. The researchers observed that EDCs – applied at concentrations measured in body fluids – directly open the CatSper ion channel, a calcium channel controlling sperm motility. Consequently, calcium levels in sperm increased, thereby changing their swimming behavior, and triggering the release of digestive enzymes that help sperm to break through the egg coat. Further, the team observed that EDCs rendered sperm less sensitive for progesterone and prostaglandins – two important hormones released by cells surrounding the egg. Finally, the investigators noted that in low-dose mixtures, the chemicals cooperate to elevate calcium levels in sperm.  The study authors warn that: “We conclude that [endocrine disrupting chemicals] interfere with various sperm functions and, thereby, might impair human fertilization.”