Métodos em toxicologia do sistema reprodutor masculino e fertilidade em roedores / Methods in toxicology of the male reproductive system and fertility in rodents
The influence of environmental factors on malefertility has been increasingly discussed. Despite regional and ethnic differences in humanpopulation and lack of standardization of techniques for sperm count, several studies have shown that over the years, a reduction of humanmalefertility, such a reduction is probably due to modification of lifestyle, occupational factors and exposure to substances and physical agents. Among the substances that can potentially cause infertility stand out new drugs and chemicals such as plastics, cleaning agents and pesticides. Besides the loss of fertility, ionizing radiation and chemotherapy may cause genetic changes in the germ cells with subsequent manifestations of cancer and malformations, and infertility in the offspring. Given the above, we emphasize the need for preclinical studies in laboratory animals, to point substances capable of altering the reproduction and fertility in mammals and, from there, calculate the risk to humans. In this sense, tests to evaluate reproductive toxicity are extremely important and must be gradually improved.