Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and male reproductive health

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are substances present in the environment that can interfere with normal hormonal balance and thus exert potentially adverse health effects on the human organism. Male reproductive system development and function may be susceptible to the effects of such environmental toxicants. Bisphenol A, phthalates and alkylphenols are important components of multiple products and are thus ubiquitously present in the environment. It has been demonstrated under laboratory conditions that they can exert detrimental effects on the male reproductive system. However, human exposure data are scarce and do not uniformly support toxicity of these substances at environmental concentrations. Despite substantial research efforts, the final answer to the problem of endocrine-disrupting chemicals is not yet in sight.Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are substances present in the environment that can interfere with the action of hormones and thus exert potentially adverse health effects on the human organism. Male reproductive system development and function may be susceptible to the effects of such environmental toxicants. Bisphenol A, phthalates and alkylphenols are important components of multiple consumer products as well as industrial processes and are thus ubiquitously present in the environment. After exposure to these substances, numerous adverse effects on male reproductive system have been demonstrated in animal studies. Thus, developmental genital anomalies as well as lower semen quality have been observed. However, human exposure data are scarce and do not uniformly support toxicity of these substances at concentrations present environmentally. Despite substantial research efforts, the final answer to the problem of endocrine-disrupting chemicals is not yet in sight.