Male reproductive toxicity of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA): Rodent studies

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 270; p. 128608
• Main Authors: Wang, Zhongyuan, Zhang, Tongtong, Wu, Jiajin, Wei, Xiyi, Xu, Aiming, Wang, Shangqian, Wang, Zengjun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2021
• Subjects: Animals; Caprylates - toxicity; Fluorocarbons - toxicity; Male; Male reproductive system; Meta-analysis; Perfluorooctanoic acid; Reproduction; Reproduction toxicity; Rodent; Rodentia; Reproduction toxicity; Perfluorooctanoic acid; Rodent; Male reproductive system; Meta-analysis
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128608

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an artificial organic substance widely used for decades, which seriously threatens human health. This study aimed to identify human-relevant correlates between PFOA exposure and the male rodent reproductive system. We performed a systematic literature review of the relevant literature of PubMed, Cochrane Library databases, Web of Science and Embase from the establishment to April 2020. Studies included the effects of PFOA on the reproductive system of male rodents. The meta-analysis was performed on the basis of the following points: level of testosterone and estradiol in serum, development of reproductive organs, pathological changes of reproduction organs and parameters of semen. A series of 16 studies was enrolled in this study. The standard mean difference (SMD) for PFOA-related reproductive toxicity was summarised as −0.39 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71, −0.07). The lower serum testosterone levels, decreased absolute testicular and epididymal weights, higher serum estradiol levels, elevated relative testicular and seminal vesicle weights and increased incidence of Leydig cell adenoma and percentage of abnormal sperm were observed in the exposed group compared with the control group. However, no statistical difference was found in the day of preputial separation of pups and percentage of motile sperm. In conclusion, PFOA exposure heightens the reproductive system damage in male rodents. However, many studies included in the review did not identify mechanisms by which PFOA induces changes to the male reproductive system, which is an area for additional study. [Display omitted] •The first meta-analysis clarifies the relationship between PFOA and the male reproductive system.•PFOA exposure may injury the male rodent reproductive system.•Long-term and high-dose PFOA exposure is more harmful to the male rodent reproductive system.