[Traditional Chinese medicine to prevent environmental pollutant-induced epigenetic changes of sperm DNA]

Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2016 Mar;22(3):264-7.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

In recent years, the incidences of male infertility and recurrent abortion are increasing. The causes of the conditions are varied and complex, but the affected stability of the genetic material in the sperm is an important etiological factor. Environmental pollutants may invade the body through respiration, diet and other channels, resulting in infertility and abortion or even affecting the reproductive system development of the offspring by changing the epigenetics of sperm DNA. In this paper, we propose the idea of using traditional Chinese medicine to prevent environmental pollutant-induced epigenetic changes of sperm DNA, hoping to provide a new insight into the protection against genetic material damage, male infertility, and recurrent abortion caused by environmental pollutants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA Damage / drug effects*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / chemically induced
  • Infertility, Male / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional*
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects*

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Environmental Pollutants