About this Research Topic
In recent years, endocrine disruptors and chemicals have become extremely common worldwide – they include radiation, micro- and nano-plastics, and phytoestrogens. In parallel, in clinical practice, reproductive potential decrease, earlier puberty, higher rate of oocyte aneuploidy, and worse fertility outcomes have been registered widely. Although there is still no open consensus about an interplay between genotoxicity and infertility, it is clear that there might be a mutual interaction between lifestyle and the decrease in reproductive potential. In particular, those substances can interfere with receptor binding, steroidogenesis, and hormone metabolism, mostly affecting fertility. For example, exposure to genotoxic agents negatively impacts the production of sex steroids by the ovary, with a slower drop of estradiol and progesterone after ovulation. Also, they can interfere with spermatogenesis provoking sperm DNA damage and oxidative stress.
The primary aim of the present Research Topic is to collect novel key articles about in vivo and in vitro models, assessing the effects of genotoxic substances on female and male fertility. Studies both at cellular and higher level, focusing on the gametes or the embryo, are welcome in this collection. Furthermore, it would be appropriate to illustrate genotoxicity pathways as oxidative stress, affecting the reproductive potential. In particular, contributors may explain whether some endocrine disruptors – which can be ubiquitously present in the environment – were vectors for other contaminants, thus establishing a synergic interplay in gene damage. Lastly, it would be useful to hypothesize patients’ screening methods and propose fertility protection strategies, in order to assess women’s and male’s exposure to genotoxic agents, firstly, and, secondly, to plan targeted management in clinical practice.
Researchers are invited to contribute with different article types including, among all, novel Original Research, Reviews, and Data Reports, to raise awareness on the mechanisms through which different types of genotoxins act into the environment as pollutants and contribute to induce genetic, cellular, and clinical imbalances reflecting on fertility outcomes. Studies investigating genotoxicity pathways – including mutual interactions between different contaminants –, their impact on female and male fertility, and protection strategies will be considered. Issues of interest to the present Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Genotoxic impact of the endocrine disruptors;
• Reproductive imbalances caused by genotoxins;
• DNA- and epigenetic damage derived from exposure to contaminants;
• Interplay between different substances, negatively influencing fertility outcomes;
• New strategies for fertility preservation and safety programs, against genotoxic agents;
• Long-term effects of genotoxic agents – from puberty to the impact on reproductive potential.
A full list of accepted article types, including descriptions, can be found at this link.
The primary aim of the present Research Topic is to collect novel key articles about in vivo and in vitro models, assessing the effects of genotoxic substances on female and male fertility. Studies both at cellular and higher level, focusing on the gametes or the embryo, are welcome in this collection. Furthermore, it would be appropriate to illustrate genotoxicity pathways as oxidative stress, affecting the reproductive potential. In particular, contributors may explain whether some endocrine disruptors – which can be ubiquitously present in the environment – were vectors for other contaminants, thus establishing a synergic interplay in gene damage. Lastly, it would be useful to hypothesize patients’ screening methods and propose fertility protection strategies, in order to assess women’s and male’s exposure to genotoxic agents, firstly, and, secondly, to plan targeted management in clinical practice.
Researchers are invited to contribute with different article types including, among all, novel Original Research, Reviews, and Data Reports, to raise awareness on the mechanisms through which different types of genotoxins act into the environment as pollutants and contribute to induce genetic, cellular, and clinical imbalances reflecting on fertility outcomes. Studies investigating genotoxicity pathways – including mutual interactions between different contaminants –, their impact on female and male fertility, and protection strategies will be considered. Issues of interest to the present Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Genotoxic impact of the endocrine disruptors;
• Reproductive imbalances caused by genotoxins;
• DNA- and epigenetic damage derived from exposure to contaminants;
• Interplay between different substances, negatively influencing fertility outcomes;
• New strategies for fertility preservation and safety programs, against genotoxic agents;
• Long-term effects of genotoxic agents – from puberty to the impact on reproductive potential.
A full list of accepted article types, including descriptions, can be found at this link.
Keywords: genotoxicity, reproduction, endocrine disruptors, oxidative stress, ovarian response, genetic damage, spermatogenesis, IVF
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
