CHAPTER 10: Male Reproductive Tract Disorders

The potential for exposure to environmental chemicals to adversely impact the male reproductive tract has received growing attention over the past several decades. This review describes the state of the human science on the relationship between exposure to environmental chemicals and male reproductive tract disorders, with a particular focus on studies of: 1) semen quality and sperm DNA damage, 2) reproductive hormones, 3) thyroid hormones, and 4) cancers of the male reproductive tract. Overall, there is a fairly large body of evidence suggesting a wide range of chemicals may adversely impact these endpoints, which are relevant to a number of downstream health effects in aging men following occupational or environmental exposure. However, since these and other disorders of the male reproductive tract may be adversely impacted by both age and environmental insults, there is a need for research that focuses on older populations and examines exposures, endpoints, and important covariates that are most relevant to health concerns later in life.