Effects of organochlorine xenobiotics of human spermatozoa

The organochlorine insecticide lindane is a widely distributed environmenta l pollutant belonging to the growing family of endocrine disrupting chemica ls (EDCs). Lindane intercalates into the sperm membrane and alters the mole cular dynamics of the bilayer. In the present paper, preliminary data are r eported showing that doses of lindane as low as those found in the female g enital tract secretions inhibit the sperm cytological responsiveness to pro gesterone, the physiological agonist which stimulates the onset of acrosome reactions at the site of fertilization. The hypothesis is put forth that e ven background levels of lindane may exert antifertility effects independen tly on the health status of either the male and female reproductive organs. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.