Bustani Ghadeer, Alghetaa Hasan, Mohammed Amira, Nagarkatti Mitzi, Nagarkatti Prakash
Department of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Abu Gharib Road, Al-Ameria Ave., Baghdad, Iraq.
The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq.
Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2025 May 14;23(1):70. doi: 10.1186/s12958-025-01401-3.
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor historically recognized for its role in the regulation of toxicity mediated by environmental chemicals. Recent research points to AhR's critical participation in male reproductive physiology, particularly in spermatogenesis, hormone signaling, and the maintenance of sperm quality. Both endogenous ligands (e.g., dietary and gut microbiota-derived metabolites) and exogenous pollutants (e.g., dioxins and benzo-α-pyrene) influence AhR-mediated pathways, making it a key link between environmental exposures and male fertility.
This review highlights AhR's influence on the male reproductive system, emphasizing the role of endogenous AhR ligands and AhR expression in the maturation and function of male reproductive organs. Environmental AhR agonists have been shown to induce oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, and sperm DNA damage, which impact harmfully on the spermatogenesis process, which leads to reproductive abnormalities. Conversely, certain natural compounds such as resveratrol, curcumin, and lycopene appear to antagonize AhR activation and reduce its negative effects, thus offering potential protective benefits against male reproductive toxicity. Nevertheless, discrepancies persist regarding the exact interplay between AhR signaling and critical reproductive hormones such as testosterone and LH, and it remains unclear how transgenerational epigenetic changes triggered by AhR activation might affect long-term male fertility.
AhR is pivotal in male reproductive physiology, influencing spermatogenesis, sperm quality, and hormone regulation through its interactions with both endogenous and environmental ligands. Persistent pollutants such as dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons cause oxidative damage and hormonal disturbances via AhR, contributing to reduced sperm quality and fertility.
芳烃受体（AhR）是一种配体激活的转录因子，长期以来因其在环境化学物质介导的毒性调节中的作用而被人们所认识。最近的研究表明，AhR在男性生殖生理中起着关键作用，特别是在精子发生、激素信号传导和精子质量维持方面。内源性配体（如饮食和肠道微生物群衍生的代谢产物）和外源性污染物（如二恶英和苯并-α-芘）都会影响AhR介导的途径，使其成为环境暴露与男性生育能力之间的关键联系。
本综述强调了AhR对男性生殖系统的影响，重点阐述了内源性AhR配体和AhR表达在男性生殖器官成熟和功能中的作用。环境AhR激动剂已被证明可诱导氧化应激、激素失衡和精子DNA损伤，这些都会对精子发生过程产生有害影响，进而导致生殖异常。相反，某些天然化合物，如白藜芦醇、姜黄素和番茄红素，似乎能拮抗AhR的激活并降低其负面影响，从而为预防男性生殖毒性提供潜在的保护作用。然而，关于AhR信号传导与关键生殖激素（如睾酮和促黄体生成素）之间的确切相互作用仍存在差异，并且尚不清楚AhR激活引发的跨代表观遗传变化如何影响男性的长期生育能力。
AhR在男性生殖生理中起着关键作用，通过与内源性和环境配体的相互作用影响精子发生、精子质量和激素调节。二恶英和多环芳烃等持久性污染物通过AhR导致氧化损伤和激素紊乱，从而导致精子质量和生育能力下降。
