Zhang Yi, Song Jing-Yan, Sun Zhen-Gao
The First Clinical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
Reproductive and Genetic Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
Reprod Toxicol. 2025 Mar;132:108832. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2025.108832. Epub 2025 Jan 6.
Male infertility has become an increasingly severe global health issue, with its incidence significantly rising over the past few decades. This paper delves into the crucial role of epigenetics in male reproductive health, focusing particularly on the effects of DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling and non-coding RNAs regulation on spermatogenesis. Exposure to various environmental factors can cause sperm DNA damage, leading to epigenetic abnormalities. Among these factors, we have discussed heavy metals (including Zinc, Cadmium, Arsenic, Copper), phthalates, electromagnetic radiation, and temperature in detail. Notably, aberrations in DNA methylation are closely associated with various symptoms of male infertility, and histone modifications and chromatin remodeling are essential for sperm maturation and function. By synthesizing existing literature and experimental data, this narrative review investigates how environmental factors influence male reproductive health through epigenetic mechanisms, thus providing new theoretical foundations and practical guidelines for the early diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
男性不育已成为一个日益严峻的全球健康问题，在过去几十年中其发病率显著上升。本文深入探讨表观遗传学在男性生殖健康中的关键作用，尤其关注DNA甲基化、组蛋白修饰、染色质重塑和非编码RNA调控对精子发生的影响。暴露于各种环境因素会导致精子DNA损伤，进而引发表观遗传异常。在这些因素中，我们详细讨论了重金属（包括锌、镉、砷、铜）、邻苯二甲酸盐、电磁辐射和温度。值得注意的是，DNA甲基化异常与男性不育的各种症状密切相关，而组蛋白修饰和染色质重塑对于精子成熟和功能至关重要。通过综合现有文献和实验数据，本叙述性综述研究环境因素如何通过表观遗传机制影响男性生殖健康，从而为男性不育的早期诊断和治疗提供新的理论基础和实践指导。
