Paediatric Surgery (Ukraine). 2025. 4(89): 123-129. doi: 10.15574/PS.2025.4(89).123129
Nesteruk S. O.
I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine

For citation: Nesteruk SO. (2025). Morphofunctional changes of the testis under the influence of exogenous factors: pathogenetic mechanisms and clinical significance. Paediatric Surgery (Ukraine). 4(89): 123-129. doi: 10.15574/PS.2025.4(89).123129.
Article received: Oct 13, 2025. Accepted for publication: Dec 12, 2025.

Male reproductive health is formed during childhood and adolescence and is extremely sensitive to the effects of exogenous factors. These include chemical agents (heavy metals, pesticides), physical factors (hyperthermia, ionizing radiation, electromagnetic fields), psychoactive substances, and alcohol. They induce oxidative stress, apoptosis, microcirculatory disorders, and destruction of Sertoli and Leydig cells, leading to decreased spermatogenic activity and the development of hypogonadism.
Аim – to summarize current experimental and clinical data on morphological and functional changes in the testis under the influence of exogenous factors, taking into account age-related features.
A systematic analysis of recent scientific publications indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was conducted. It was established that exposure to cadmium, lead, organophosphates, chronic alcoholism, opioids, and hyperthermia is accompanied by typical structural alterations, including cytoplasmic vacuolization of Sertoli cells, interstitial edema, atrophy of seminiferous tubules, and reduction of Leydig cells. Disturbances of thermoregulation, ionizing radiation, and mechanical injuries further contribute to the disruption of the blood-testis barrier and activation of immune-mediated damage to the germinal epithelium.
Conclusions. Exogenous factors exert a universal adverse effect on the morphofunctional state of the testis, manifested through oxidative stress, apoptosis, and endocrine dysregulation. These processes acquire particular clinical significance during growth and puberty, emphasizing the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and correction of reproductive system disorders in children and adolescents.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
Keywords: testis, exogenous factors, morphological changes, oxidative stress, spermatogenesis, childhood.

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