Human sperm as an in vitro toxicity model: a versatile tool for assessing the risk of environmental contaminants

• DOI: 10.1007/s00204-025-04035-x
• Publication Date: 2025-05-03T04:05:02Z
• Authors: Shannen Keyser; Daniel Marcu; Morgan T. D. Davidse; Monique Bennett; Leslie Petrik; Liana Maree
• Keywords: Environmental toxicology; Reproductive toxicity

Abstract Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) pose a significant threat to human and ecosystem health due their persistence, bioaccumulation in higher trophic levels, potential toxicity. While vivo models are commonly used for toxicity screening, developing alternative vitro techniques rapid environmental risk assessment is essential. Spermatozoa, with compartmentalized structure, measurable characteristics sensitivity changes, offer as an model screening. We evaluated the impact selected CECs, including pharmaceuticals pesticides, on sperm function highly motile subpopulations from donor semen. Standardised protocols were applied assess various functional parameters after 1–4 h exposure either individual or mixture chemicals. Our findings revealed that total motility insufficient detect subtle toxic effect. More responsive measures, such kinematics, induced hyperactivation, viability, mitochondrial membrane (MMP) presence reactive oxygen species (ROS) should be assessed elucidate effect environment function. Most chemicals exerted dose–response parameters, concentrations resulting most negative effects. The inherent spermatozoa oxidative stress, damage energy metabolism, makes them robust assessing These features highlight utility cellular evaluating CECs advancing methodologies.