Environmental effects on testicular development
The EC-funded GENDISRUPT project studied the impact of a group of compounds designated endocrine disruptors (EDs) on reproductive systems and in particular on the developing gonads. The project partners studied the potential effects on future generations and the role of genetic background in determining susceptibility to EDs. Estrogens, a subgroup of EDs, were shown to impact on primordial germ cell (PGC) production during embryonic development. In other words, estrogen exposure during the embryonic stage of development affects PGC growth and differentiation. Based on the right combination of conditions and genetic predisposition, this effect on the PGCs can transform them into tumorigenic cells. These studies could be used as the basis for research into the links between effects of EDs, genetic mutations and male infertility or testicular tumours. Further microarray analyses can shed more light on specific pathways in testicular development that are affected by EDs. This information could pave the way for novel diagnostic and screening tools able to detect any abnormalities early on.
