Toxicity

Here we briefly discuss genetic toxicity (to the germ cells) to the reproductive systems of the male and female reproductive systems. We talk about toxicity to the conceptus in the next page, and give some examples in submodule 6B.

Genetic toxicity

The rapid replication of germ tissue would indicate they are more susceptible to mutations than quiescent somatic tissue. The blood-testis barrier does not prevent migration of small water soluble chemicals at all. Lipid soluble and large molecules are attenuated by the barrier, but not excluded. In addition, the presence of P450's will biotransform many chemicals, but we recognize that sometimes this leads to bioactivation of the parent to a more toxic compound. For example, n-hexane (normal hexane) is biotransformed in to 2, 5 hexanedione (2,5HD).

n-hexane	2,5-hexanedione

2,5HD alters a chemical, tublin, that is part of the microstructure of cells, and leads to tissue damage and the atrophy of the testicles.

The thalates (more often spelled "phthalates," but the "ph" is silent) are often used as plasticizers in plastics. Here's a site that is not happy about that use of thalates.

Lead is known to cause chromosome aberrations in the germ cells of lead workers.

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