Effects of organochlorine xenobiotics on human spermatozoa

The organochlorine insecticide lindane is a widely distributed environmental pollutant belonging to the growing family of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Lindane intercalates into the sperm membrane and alters the molecular dynamics of the bilayer. In the present paper, preliminary data are reported showing that doses of lindane as low as those found in the female genital tract secretions inhibit the sperm cytological responsiveness to progesterone, the physiological agonist which stimulates the onset of acrosome reactions at the site of fertilization. The hypothesis is put forth that even background levels of lindane may exert antifertility effects independently on the health status of either the male and female reproductive organs.