In a recent study published in the journal Environment International , researchers investigated the effect of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) mixes on sperm methylome and transcriptional alterations in offspring metabolic organs (liver and fat). Male fertility is dropping internationally due to elevated concentrations of endocrine-disrupting chemical substances (EDC), such as PFAS. These environmental pollutants affect hormone signaling, lowering testosterone levels while boosting estradiol levels.
Human blood and seminal plasma contain PFAS, raising concerns about their possible harmful influence on male fertility. According to experimental investigations, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) exposure decreases spermiogenesis and maturation, altering testosterone levels. Understanding the systemic effects of environmental pollutants on general health is critical, particularly concerning cholesterol metabolism, liver function, and fat function.
Study: Mixtures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) alter sperm methylation and long-term reprogramming of offspring liver and fat transcriptome . Image Credit: dba87 / Shutterstock In the present study, researchers investigated the effects of preconception PFAS exposure in male mice on sperm epigenetics and offspring gene expression. The researchers exposed C57BL/6 adult mice to a combination of five PFAS compounds in their drinking water for 18 weeks before collecting and analyzing them for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
