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Perfluoroalkyl Chemicals and Male Reproductive Health: Do PFOA and PFOS Increase Risk for Male Infertility?

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  • Pheruza Tarapore

    (Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
    Center of Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
    Cincinnati Cancer Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA)

  • Bin Ouyang

    (Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
    Center of Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA)

Abstract

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are manmade synthetic chemicals which have been in existence for over 70 years. Though they are currently being phased out, their persistence in the environment is widespread. There is increasing evidence linking PFAS exposure to health effects, an issue of concern since PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) bioaccumulate in humans, with a half-life of years. Many epidemiological studies suggest that, worldwide, semen quality has decreased over the past several decades. One of the most worrying effects of PFOS and PFOA is their associations with lower testosterone levels, similar to clinical observations in infertile men. This review thus focuses on PFOS/PFOA-associated effects on male reproductive health. The sources of PFAS in drinking water are listed. The current epidemiological studies linking increased exposure to PFAS with lowered testosterone and semen quality, and evidence from rodent studies supporting their function as endocrine disruptors on the reproductive system, exhibiting non-monotonic dose responses, are noted. Finally, their mechanisms of action and possible toxic effects on the Leydig, Sertoli, and germ cells are discussed. Future research efforts must consider utilizing better human model systems for exposure, using more accurate PFAS exposure susceptibility windows, and improvements in statistical modeling of data to account for the endocrine disruptor properties of PFAS.

Suggested Citation

  • Pheruza Tarapore & Bin Ouyang, 2021. "Perfluoroalkyl Chemicals and Male Reproductive Health: Do PFOA and PFOS Increase Risk for Male Infertility?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3794-:d:530485
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Skaalum Petersen & Jónrit Halling & Niels Jørgensen & Flemming Nielsen & Philippe Grandjean & Tina Kold Jensen & Pál Weihe, 2018. "Reproductive Function in a Population of Young Faroese Men with Elevated Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Perfluorinated Alkylate Substances (PFAS)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Ryan C. Lewis & Lauren E. Johns & John D. Meeker, 2015. "Serum Biomarkers of Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Relation to Serum Testosterone and Measures of Thyroid Function among Adults and Adolescents from NHANES 2011–2012," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-17, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michelle Engelsman & Andrew P. W. Banks & Chang He & Sandra Nilsson & Debbie Blake & Ayomi Jayarthne & Zubaria Ishaq & Leisa-Maree L. Toms & Xianyu Wang, 2023. "An Exploratory Analysis of Firefighter Reproduction through Survey Data and Biomonitoring," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-19, April.

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