Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Volume. 42, Issue 7, 876(2025)

Effects of common environmental pollutants on sperm DNA methylation

GUO Xin1, LIU Bingchun2, WANG Huizeng1, CHEN Hong1, XU Peixin1, and YUAN Jianlong1、*
Author Affiliations
  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Inner Mongolia 010050, China
  • 2Organ Transplant Center Laboratory/Stem Cell Laboratory/Tumor Cell Gene Detection Application and Research Engineering Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, China
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    Infertility is a common reproductive disorder affecting millions of couples worldwide. It is estimated that male factors account for about 30%-50% of infertility cases, and some studies have found that the concentration of male sperm gradually decreases over time, a trend that suggests the importance of male fertility. Many factors contribute to the decline of male fertility, among which environmental factors have received widespread attention. After reaching adulthood, spermatogonial stem cells will continue to produce sperm, but these cells exist outside the blood testicular barrier, which makes them highly sensitive to environmental conditions such as air pollution, tobacco smoke, radiation, and heavy metals. It is reported that exposure to these adverse environmental factors not only causes oxidative stress and DNA damage to germ cells, but also leads to abnormal epigenetic modification of sperm DNA, thereby causing a series of diseases. This article reviewed the abnormal methylation changes in DNA associated with exposure to environmental pollutants during spermatogenesis and how these changes affect the quantity, quality, and function of spermatozoa.

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    GUO Xin, LIU Bingchun, WANG Huizeng, CHEN Hong, XU Peixin, YUAN Jianlong. Effects of common environmental pollutants on sperm DNA methylation[J]. Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, 2025, 42(7): 876

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    Paper Information

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    Received: Sep. 2, 2024

    Accepted: Aug. 25, 2025

    Published Online: Aug. 25, 2025

    The Author Email: YUAN Jianlong (jianlongyuan@immu.edu.cn)

    DOI:10.11836/jeom24433

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