Endocrine disruptive compounds and male reproduction

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are chemical substances that affect physiological processes in the organism via hormonal regulation. The EDs are present in the environment and objects of everyday use. They are often detected in food, particularly released from packaging of canned food, but also from plastic water bottles, and they are also found in cosmetics and fertilizers. They are commonly detected in children's toys, banknotes, receipts and many more objects. Permanent and long-term utilization of EDs has harmful effects on human reproductive health mainly by interference with sex hormone synthesis and mechanism of action. The endocrine disruptors show many negative effects on male reproductive system. Any change during synthesis or activity of sex hormones can cause abnormal reproduction, including developmental anomalies of the sexual system, disruption of testicular development or deterioration of sperm quality. Mainly the impact on the development of testicles in prenatal and early postnatal period can be crucial for reproductive health in males. This review provides an overview of the EDs and their possible impact on reproductive health in males with focus on sperm quality and development of testicles.