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. 2024 Oct 17:6:1469340.
doi: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1469340. eCollection 2024.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of triclosan exposure on human semen quality

Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola  1   2 , Tunmise Maryanne Akhigbe  2   3 , Adetomiwa Ezekiel Adeogun  2   4 , Eva Tvrdá  5 , Alica Pizent  6 , Roland Eghoghosoa Akhigbe  1   2
Affiliations

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of triclosan exposure on human semen quality

Cecilia Adedeji Adegbola et al. Front Toxicol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal compound that is frequently found in personal care and consumer products, and its its impact on male reproductive health is a growing concern. Despite existing experimental studies demonstrating its potential threats to male fertility, reports on its effects on human semen quality remains limited and inconsistent. Therefore, this study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the relationship between triclosan exposure and semen quality.

Methods: This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024524192) and adhered to PRISMA guidelines.

Results: The study analyzed 562 screened studies, out of which five articles including 1,312 male subjects were finally included in the study. The eligible studies were geographically diverse, with three from China, one from Belgium, and one from Poland. More so, the eligible studies were both case-control and cross-sectional. The meta-analysis revealed that triclosan exposure significantly reduced sperm concentration (Standard Mean Difference (SMD) -0.42 [95% CI: -0.75, -0.10], P = 0.01) and sperm total motility (SMD -1.30 [95% CI: -2.26, -0.34], P = 0.008). Mechanistic insights from animal and in vitro studies showed that oxidative stress may mediate the adverse effects of triclosan on semen quality.

Discussion: This meta-analysis is the first comprehensive evaluation of the impact of triclosan on human semen quality, highlighting its potential to impair male fertility through reductions in sperm concentration and motility. However, the high heterogeneity among the included studies underscores the need for further high-quality research to establish more definitive conclusions regarding the effects of triclosan exposure on human reproductive health.

Keywords: endocrine disruptor; environmental toxicant; male infertility; oxidative stress; semen; sex hormones.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Sources and possible effects of triclosan. Triclosan may be found in common consumer products, including toothpastes, soaps, detergents, cleaning supplies, cosmetics, and medicaments. Acute or chronic exposure to triclosan may lead to acute or chronic toxicity, the occurrence of carcinogenic transformation products and resistance to antibiotics. Triclosan is considered as a persistent environmental pollutant capable of bioaccumulation, an allergen, and an endocrine disruptor.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
PRISMA flow chart for the selection of eligible studies on the impact of triclosan exposure on human semen quality.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Forest plot showing the effect of triclosan exposure on ejaculate volume (mL).
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Forest plot showing the effect of triclosan exposure on sperm count (million/ejaculate).
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Forest plot showing the effect of triclosan exposure on sperm concentration (million/mL).
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Forest plot showing the effect of triclosan exposure on total sperm motility (%).
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Forest plot showing the effect of triclosan exposure on sperm progressive motility (%).
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
Forest plot showing the effect of triclosan exposure on normal sperm morphology (%).
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 9
Commonly observed effects of triclosan on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis.
FIGURE 10
FIGURE 10
Commonly observed effects of triclosan on spermatozoa.
FIGURE 11
FIGURE 11
The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of the present study on the impact of triclosan exposure on human semen quality.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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