Passage of chemicals into human and animal semen: mechanisms and significance

Crit Rev Toxicol. 1982;11(1):1-14. doi: 10.3109/10408448209089846.

Abstract

This review will begin with a brief account of the secretory mechanisms operating in the male reproductive tract. The entry of the different chemicals will be dealt with; with separate reference to testicular fluids, epididymal plasma, prostatic and vesicular secretions, and whole semen. Examples will be given of a number of chemical substances capable of passing into the secretions of the male reproductive tract and semen, in man and in animals--antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic agents, industrial chemicals, chemotherapeutic drugs, food additives, etc. The review will end with a critical appraisal of the methods involved and the results obtained from analyses of various chemicals in semen.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism
  • Carnitine / metabolism
  • Ejaculation / drug effects
  • Epididymis / metabolism
  • Ergothioneine / metabolism
  • Genitalia, Male / metabolism
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Permeability
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Semen / metabolism*
  • Spermatogonia / drug effects
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Zinc / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Proteins
  • Ergothioneine
  • Zinc
  • Carnitine