Acute and chronic pathological effects of sulfur mustard on genitourinary system and male fertility.

PURPOSE To review the acute and chronic pathological effects of sulfur mustard on the genitourinary system and male fertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched PubMed and Google Scholar to find studies related to the sulfur mustard-induced genitourinary effects and male infertility. Information in the abstracts of non-English related papers as well as those in the proceedings of congresses on sulfur mustard were reviewed as well. RESULTS In acute phase after sulfur mustard exposure, evidences are in favor of microscopic and macroscopic renal lesions, very low androgen levels, and impaired spermatogenesis. Several years following sulfur mustard exposure, the long-term pathological effects vary from the renal function impairment to the gonadal damage, in particular the spermatogenesis. Nevertheless, carcinogenic effect of sulfur mustard on the genitourinary system as well as the prevalence of male infertility among sulfur mustard-exposed veterans in the chronic post-exposure phase is still unclear. CONCLUSION Sulfur mustard causes both acute and chronic injuries to different parts of the genitourinary system.