Chemical factors
Antispermatogenic drugs
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Cadmium: Cadmium salts, in small doses produce marked necrosis in the testis which probably results from a marked increase in testicular blood flow and increase in permeability of the blood vessels by increasing the intercellular cleft and the blood – testis barrier. It affects both the spermatogenic and androgenic functions of the testis but after about one month, the damaged testis gradually regains full androgenic activity.
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Alkylating agents: Eg. Busulfan. These drugs destroy spermatogonia and in later stages the germinal epithelium are removed by ‘maturation depletion’.
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Diamines: these drugs affect spermatocytes followed by ‘maturation depletion’.
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Nitrogen-containing compounds: Administration of these drugs cause arrest of spermatogenesis at primary spermatocyte stage with histological castration changes in the pituitary.
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Drugs affecting cell division: Drugs like hydroxyurea, interferes with DNA synthesis and thereby it affects the spermatogenesis
Effects of Environment Agents
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Organochlorine derivatives
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DDT (Dichlorodiphenyl Trichloro Ethane): It causes spermatogenic cell degeneration and spermatogenic activity appeared to be decreased. It causes progressive histological deterioration followed by loss of germinal cells, karyopyknotic nuclei, cytoplasmic vascuolization, abnormal spermatids and multinucleated spermatocytes.
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Cyclodines: Dieldrin, aldrin and some indane derivatives may cause germ cell damage, lowered plasma testosterone levels and decreased prostatic secretion and these alterations may lead to decrease in spermatogenic activity.
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Benzene hexachloride: It decreases the number of mature sperms and the testis show degenerative changes, necrosis and cellular proliferation. The seminiferous tubules are severely damaged and multinucleated giant cells are commonly found.
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Miscellaneous Organochlorine compounds:
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Organophosphates: eg.Dichlorovos and carbamates
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Food additives and contaminants
Atmospheric pollutants
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Last modified: Monday, 4 June 2012, 9:19 AM