Transgenerational effects of environmental toxins require either a chromosomal or epigenetic alteration in the germ line. Transient exposure of a gestating female rat during the period of gonadal sex determination to the endocrine disruptors vinclozolin (an antiandrogenic compound) or methoxychlor (an estrogenic compound) induced an adult phenotype in the F1 generation of decreased spermatogenic capacity (cell number and viability) and increased incidence of male infertility.
These effects were transferred through the male germ line to nearly all males of all subsequent generations examined (that is, F1 to F4). The effects on reproduction correlate with altered DNA methylation patterns in the germ line. The ability of an environmental factor (for example, endocrine disruptor) to reprogram the germ line and to promote a transgenerational disease state has significant implications for evolutionary biology and disease etiology.
Sources: Epigenetic transgenerational actions of endocrine disruptors and male fertility, NCBI, May 2010.
Related posts:
- The Decline in Male Fertility, Scientists puzzle over declining Sperm Counts
- Are Men becoming less fertile? Sperm Counts for Men dropping globally, Study
- BPA, Endocrine Disruptors, Phthalates:
Evolution or Extinction of Men? - DES caused intersexed Development in the DES Sons by blocking Testicular Testosterone Production
- Our posts tagged BPA – DES Sons – about Men’s health
Reblogged this on Laitom's Blog.
Tom
many thanks Tom
I can tell you first hand about not fully developing as a male. Some where in my fetal development I simply failed to mature as a complete male. What I was left with was one under developed testis and one fetal ovary. In turn I’m a sexually immature and had much difficulty conceiving children, because of hypogonadism. The fetal ovary became malignant and came very close to killing me. I could even be a poster child for intersex as I don’t feel comfortable as a male or female either.
Sadly my spouse was exposed to DES, as well as all seven of her brothers and sisters. One brother and two sisters show clear signs of exposure to DES. With the brother having undeveloped testis and a teratoma like myself but not the cancer like mine.
I am very open about having a intersex body and open to questions.
thank you David