Multigenerational and cross-generational effect of environmental endocrine disruptors on reproductive system in male animals

Environmental endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are exogenous chemical compounds interfering with the activity of endogenous hormones, and can cause harm to development of tissues including reproductive system. After parents exposed to EDCs for a certain period of time, the offspring may be also affected by the chemical compounds, which is called multi-generation and cross-generation effects. Most recent researches are related to the multi-generation and cross-generation effects of maternal exposure and some studies also suggest that paternal exposure may have adverse effects on male offspring. EDCs have been found having certain reproductive toxicity to male animals, but its reproductive effect on male offspring after paternal exposure is undefined. This study reviews researches on reproductive toxicity of bisphenol A, phthalates, dioxin-like compounds and atrazine to male animals, as well as the reproduction-related multigenerational and cross-generational effects of paternal exposure to those chemicals on male offsprings.