News | Potential Threat of Environmental Toxin DDT to Male Fertility
In a decade-long study, researchers from McGill University, the University of Pretoria, Université Laval, Aarhus University, and the University of Copenhagen found that fathers exposed to environmental toxins, especially DDT, may produce sperm carrying health risks that could affect their children and potentially future generations.
The study examined sperm epigenome changes in men from the Vhavenda population in South Africa and Inuit communities in Greenland in relation to long-term DDT exposure. Exposure was associated with substantial changes, particularly in gene regions important to fertility, embryonic development, neurodevelopment, and hormonal regulation. These changes were associated with higher rates of birth defects and conditions including neurodevelopmental disorders and metabolic disease.
Lead author Dr. Ariane Lismer said, "We found that certain regions of the sperm epigenome were associated with serum levels of DDE, a chemical produced when DDT breaks down, in a dose-response pattern. In other words, greater DDE exposure was associated with more chromatin or DNA methylation defects in sperm."
The study suggests that sperm epigenomic responses to toxins may relate to disease in the next generation. This is important for reproductive health because animal studies have shown toxin-related effects on the sperm epigenome, but human evidence has remained incomplete.
Rethinking the Father's Role in Child Development
The study also emphasizes fathers' role in children's health and development. Advice about environmental pollutants during pregnancy usually focuses on women, with less attention to paternal exposure. Yet the paternal genome and epigenome are also essential to normal embryonic development.
Although the study focused on DDT, researchers believe common household endocrine disruptors, including ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products, may have similar effects.
The Wellcome-supported study was published in Environmental Health Perspectives. Its findings may help explain genetic causes of male infertility and offer new perspectives for future genetic screening and prevention of potential toxin-related harm to subsequent generations.
News | Potential Threat of Environmental Toxin DDT to Male Fertility
News | Potential Threat of Environmental Toxin DDT to Male Fertility
In a decade-long study, researchers from McGill University, the University of Pretoria, Université Laval, Aarhus University, and the University of Copenhagen found that fathers exposed to environmental toxins, especially DDT, may produce sperm carrying health risks that could affect their children and potentially future generations.
The study examined sperm epigenome changes in men from the Vhavenda population in South Africa and Inuit communities in Greenland in relation to long-term DDT exposure. Exposure was associated with substantial changes, particularly in gene regions important to fertility, embryonic development, neurodevelopment, and hormonal regulation. These changes were associated with higher rates of birth defects and conditions including neurodevelopmental disorders and metabolic disease.
Lead author Dr. Ariane Lismer said, "We found that certain regions of the sperm epigenome were associated with serum levels of DDE, a chemical produced when DDT breaks down, in a dose-response pattern. In other words, greater DDE exposure was associated with more chromatin or DNA methylation defects in sperm."
The study suggests that sperm epigenomic responses to toxins may relate to disease in the next generation. This is important for reproductive health because animal studies have shown toxin-related effects on the sperm epigenome, but human evidence has remained incomplete.
Rethinking the Father's Role in Child Development
The study also emphasizes fathers' role in children's health and development. Advice about environmental pollutants during pregnancy usually focuses on women, with less attention to paternal exposure. Yet the paternal genome and epigenome are also essential to normal embryonic development.
Although the study focused on DDT, researchers believe common household endocrine disruptors, including ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products, may have similar effects.
The Wellcome-supported study was published in Environmental Health Perspectives. Its findings may help explain genetic causes of male infertility and offer new perspectives for future genetic screening and prevention of potential toxin-related harm to subsequent generations.
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