Abstract
Background: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was an endocrine disruptor, which may lead to cancer and affects reproductive function when accumulated in the body. But the precise role of DBP in the reproductive system remained controversial.Objective: We employed the meta-analysis to explore the relationship between DBP and reproductive-related outcomes.Methods: We searched relevant literature in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95% CIs were measured by random-effects models. Funnel plots and Egger’s regression test were applied to assess publication bias.Results: Finally, 19 literatures were included in this research. The outcomes revealed that DBP was negatively correlated with reproductive organs weight (testis weight: SMD: −0.59; 95% Cl: −1.23, −0.23; seminal vesicles weight: SMD: −0.74; 95% Cl: −1.21, −0.27; prostate weight: SMD: −0.46; 95% Cl: −0.76, −0.16) and sperm parameters (sperm morphology: SMD: 1.29; 95% Cl: 0.63, 1.94; sperm count: SMD: −1.81; 95% Cl: −2.39, −1.23; sperm motility: SMD: −1.92; 95% Cl: −2.62, −1.23).Conclusion: Our research demonstrated that DBP may be negatively associated with reproductive-related indicators, especially at Gestation exposure period and middle dose (100–500 mg/kg/day).
Highlights
Many researches have revealed that the decline of male reproductive health and fertility was related to toxic substances found in the environment, endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates (Foster et al, 1980; Hu et al, 2020; Rodriguez-Sosa et al, 2020; Trovalusci et al, 2020)
The outcomes revealed that dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was negatively correlated with reproductive organs weight and sperm parameters
Our research demonstrated that DBP may be negatively associated with reproductive-related indicators, especially at Gestation exposure period and middle dose (100–500 mg/kg/day)
Summary
Many researches have revealed that the decline of male reproductive health and fertility was related to toxic substances found in the environment, endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates (Foster et al, 1980; Hu et al, 2020; Rodriguez-Sosa et al, 2020; Trovalusci et al, 2020). Since DBP may leak into food, water, and the ecological environment, it has aroused widespread concern in the scientific community and the public (Chapin et al, 1998; Aurela et al, 1999; Petersen and Breindahl, 2000). A study stated that urine samples from 289 adult reference populations contained 7 to 294 ng/ml monobutyl phthalate (Petersen and Breindahl, 2000). Because of the widespread existence of DBP, the safe dose of DBP and its harm to the human body have attracted adequate attention. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set the safe reference dose (RfD) at 0.1 mg/kg/d for humans based on a 1,000-fold reduction of the dose used in the rodent study (Smirnova et al, 2021). The precise role of DBP in the reproductive system remained controversial
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
