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The involvement and underlying mechanism of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in the impairment of male mammalian fertility induced by environmental pollutants

YANG Ye-Bin¹, PENG Zhen², PENG Sheng-Lin², MEI Guang-Quan¹, CHENG Yi-Min^1,3,*

¹College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Key Laboratory for the Study of Active Components of Natural Drugs in Jiangxi Province, Yichun University, Yichun 336000, China；²Yichun People’s Hospital, Yichun 336000, China；³College of Medicine, Yichun University, Yichun 336000, China

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been a consistent decline in semen quality across the globe, with environmental pollution emerging as the predominant factor. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have garnered considerable attention due to their potent biological toxicity and resistance to natural degradation. Within this class of pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs) have been identified as detrimental agents that can disrupt cellular physiological functions by activating aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). However, the precise role of AhR in the adverse effects of environmental pollutants on male mammalian fertility remains incompletely understood. This article provides a comprehensive review of the impact of various environmental pollutants, specifically PAHs such as benzo[a]pyrene, 3-methylcholanthrene, and 7,12-dimethylbenzo[a]anthracene, HAHs including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and the pollutant complex PM2.5, as well as cigarette smoke condensates, on male mammalian reproductive function. Additionally, this review focuses on the role of the AhR in mediating these effects. The objective of this review is to elucidate the involvement of AhR in the regulation of male mammalian fertility, thereby offering insights for prospective investigations into the interplay between AhR and male reproductive function, as well as the etiology of idiopathic male infertility in clinic.

Key words: aryl hydrocarbon receptors; environmental pollutants; exogenous AhR ligands; male mammalian fertility; molecular mechanisms

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 程一民　　E-mail:

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2024.0009

Citing This Article：

YANG Ye-Bin, PENG Zhen, PENG Sheng-Lin, MEI Guang-Quan, CHENG Yi-Min. The involvement and underlying mechanism of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in the impairment of male mammalian fertility induced by environmental pollutants. Acta Physiol Sin 2024; 76 (4): 631-642 (in Chinese with English abstract).