Challenges of disinfection by-products in water and effecton the men’s health infertility- A Narrative review

Chlorination is the most common disinfectant in the water treatment process. The reaction between NaturalOrganic Matter (NOM) in water and chlorine lead to the formation of harmful disinfectant by-products (DBPs).The most common DBPs (HAAs and THMs) impose risks on human health. The data acquired from humansamples on the relationship of men’s infertility with DBPs exposure are limited and epidemiological studieshave reported various results about the association between long-term exposure to DBPs and the adverse ef-fect on the man’s infertility (sperm concentration, semen quality and sperm motility). Previous cellular studiesshow that HAAs and THM damaged DNA by their effect on the ROS generation and Oxidative stress, respectively.Moreover, CDBM can lead to decreased litter sizes and pup viability. Bromodichloromethane (BDCM) cause theproduction of sperm abnormalities. In addition, Trichloromethane (TCM) led to increase the degeneration ofepididymis ductal epithelium. Dibromoacetic acid (DBAA) and Bromochloroacetic acid (BCAA) led to synergis-tical decrease in the levels of SP22 sperm membrane protein. Likewise, BCAA and DBAA resulted in testiculardamage. It should be noted that synergistic effect between Br THMs and TCAA in relation to below-referencesperm count was demonstrated. It has been reported that mixture of THMs and HAAs lead to increase spermmotility in adult male rats.