Abstract

Increasing environmental exposure to harmful substances as a result of industry has led to an enhanced uptake of chemicals by means of food, water and inhalation. Therefore, the danger of damage of the male reproductive potential cannot be excluded. This assumption is supported by reports from the USA indicating a tendency towards a decrease in the number of spermatozoa in fertile men within the last 50 years. A similar tendency has been shown by investigations on the fertility potential in other industrial countries (Australia, Sweden, France). In Germany, however, so far there is no evidence indicating decrease in the quality of semen in fertile men. The influence of heavy metals, herbicides and pesticides on male fertility is well known. Chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds have aroused particular interest within recent years. Since there are only a few investigations demonstrating the impairment of male fertility by environmental pollutants, it is time to focus our efforts on studying the problem of environmental hazards regarding male fertility from an experimental, clinical and epidemiological viewpoint in order to prevent irreparable damage to mankind.