A Review On Organochlorine Pesticides And Reproductive Toxicity In Males

Today, humans and wildlife are constantly exposed to thousands of chemical residues, through air, food and water. Organochlorines are widespread pollutants and comprise a variety of compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine. Chlorinated insecticides, solvents, and fumigants are widely used around the world. Exposure to organochlorine chemicals has been associated with many deleterious effects on human health. Concerns have been raised about their implication in reproductive toxicity and endocrine disruption, because organochlorine chemicals persist in the environment. Organochlorines interfere with normal hormonal function in animals and humans. Reproductive abnormalities, including feminization of males, abnormal sexual behavior, birth defects, altered sex ratios, decreased sperm production, reduced testicular size, infertility, and thyroid dysfunction, have been reported in laboratory animals and wildlife exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. This review deals with adverse effects of different organochlorine chemicals on male reproductive system, thus indicates limited use of organochlorines to improve the quality of life for human welfare.