Can teratogens affect men?
Temporary infertility can occur in males exposed to toxic substances, and teratospermia is well documented. An increased miscarriage rate among the wives of men chronically exposed to toxic substances has been reported.
Which teratogens affect sperm quality?
Drugs, tobacco and alcohol allhave a range of short and long term health effects, including effects detrimental tothe production of sperm. These effects include reduced concentrations of sperm in the semen and reduced concentrations of sperm which have a normal shape and are able to move or swim.
Do teratogens affect sperm?
Environmental factors that can cause birth defects or have a harmful effect on the developing fetus during pregnancy are called teratogens. Maternal exposures may cross the placenta and directly affect the fetus. Paternal exposures may affect the sperm, which could possibly cause a genetic mutation or alter fertility.
What are teratogens and their effects?
Teratogens are drugs, chemicals, or even infections that can cause abnormal fetal development. There are billions of potential teratogens, but only a few agents are proven to have teratogenic effects. These effects can result in a baby being born with a birth defect.
Can a man’s sperm affect a fetus?
Semen and sperm deposited in the vagina during penetrative vaginal sex will not harm the baby.
Does smoking and drinking affect male fertility?
Alcohol consumption resulted in significant increases in morphologically abnormal nuclei and plasma membranes. Conclusions: Heavy smoking was associated with decreased sperm counts and alcohol consumption was associated with increased numbers of morphologically abnormal sperm.
What drugs affect male fertility?
Testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications (chemotherapy), some ulcer drugs, some arthritis drugs and certain other medications can impair sperm production and decrease male fertility.
Is smoking a teratogen?
Known teratogens include alcohol, smoking, toxic chemicals, radiation, viruses, some maternal health conditions, and certain prescription drugs. Amount: The amount of harm to a fetus increases the more the pregnant person consumes or is exposed to a teratogen.
When is the brain most likely to be harmed by teratogens?
Major malformations are more common in early embryos than in newborns; however, most severely affected embryos are spontaneously aborted during the first six to eight weeks of gestation. During organogenesis between days 15 to 60, teratogenic agents are more likely to cause major congenital malformations.
What are the causes and effects of teratogenic drugs?
Drugs that are capable of acting as teratogens include:
- ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors such as:
- Acne medication isotretinoin (Accutane, Retin-A).
- Alcohol ingested chronically or in binges.
- Androgens (male hormones).
- Antibiotics tetracycline (Achromycin), and doxycycline (Vibramycin), and streptomycin.
Which condition would be considered teratogenic?
A teratogen is any agent that disrupts a baby’s development when a person is exposed to it during pregnancy. Known teratogens include alcohol, smoking, toxic chemicals, radiation, viruses, some maternal health conditions, and certain prescription drugs.
How do teratogens affect human development?
Effects of teratogens during this period of developmental often times results in an “all or none effect.” That is, the effect of the teratogen, if it is to have any effect, will be so profound as to cause a spontaneous abortion. Some examples of teratogens known to cause human malformations are listed in the table below (Table 23-2).
How does cigarette smoking affect sperm quality?
Chronic cigarette smoking by men leads to poor sperm quality and quantity mainly through oxidative stress and also direct assault by CS metabolites.
Do teratogenic gens cause mental retardation?
Terato- gens can produce mental retardation during both embryonic and fetal periods (Fig. 23-2). Specific types of major malformations and the times of development usually associated with expo- sure to the teratogenic agent are outlined in the table below (Table 23-1).
How are exposures to reproductive toxicants categorized for teratogenesis?
Exposures to reproductive toxicants that contribute to teratogenesis can be categorized according to the timing of the exposure relative to fertilization. Exposures may occur before, during, or after fertilization.