TRASTORNOS INMUNOLOGICOS INDUCIDOS POR MERCURIO EN EL SISTEMA REPRODUCTOR MASCULINO HUMANO I MERCURY-INDUCED IMMUNOLOGICAL DAMAGE IN MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The Group of Researchers on Human Reproduction from Universidad de Oriente has a research line that assesses the effects of mercury on the male reproductive system, using an animal model susceptible to the metal. Lesions induced by necrosis and apoptosis related to alterations in testosterone synthesis have been demonstrated. Injuries involve an autoimmune response to germ cells and an increased Th1 activity at baseline and 7 months of treatment. Since mercury is able to generate “danger” signals, the expression of stress proteins (hsp) in germ cells and the immune system have been studied, which are increased in the treated animals. The results obtained until now support the hypothesis that mercury at subtoxic doses is capable of inducing direct damage and humoral and cell-type responses, causing damage to the seminiferous epithelium, through several means, which could prevent the fertilization in the long term.