Pesticide exposure and male reproductive health: A commentary on emerging toxicological and human studies
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Global indicators of male reproductive health—most notably spermatozoa quality and concentration—have demonstrated a well-documented, multi-decade decline, sparking intensive public health investigation. Among a myriad of anthropogenic environmental risk factors, synthetic pesticide exposure stands out as a primary contributor to adverse spermatogenic outcomes. This commentary synthesizes a seminal presentation delivered at the Third International Conference on Public Health and Environment, evaluating global chemical trends, regional import data, and recent meta-analytic evidence linking organophosphate and N-methyl carbamate exposure to impaired semen parameters. By integrating clinical epidemiology with molecular toxicology, this paper contextualizes the mechanisms of endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and gonadal toxicity, ultimately advocating for heightened regulatory oversight and advanced mixture-effect profiling.
Author: Melissa J. Perry
Institution: George Mason University
Language: English
Subfield: Toxicology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7168191887