Plasticisers: A Potential Reproductive-toxicant for Humans

Abstract

The advancement in science and technology has led to the discovery and formulations of various cheaper alternatives to our day to day commodities. Plastic is one of them. Plasticisers include a group of chemicals that increase the flexibility of plastics so that they can be moulded into the forms of our use. The plasticisers have led to a number of health hazards when they leach out into the environment. This review is going to be a comparative discussion, on the effects of different plasticisers on human health, and the main focus on plasticiser-induced reproductive toxicity. This study revealed that there are anomalies in the male reproductive system like cryptorchidism, hypospadias acrosomal dysgenesis, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Reduced fertility, deterioration in sperm quality, drop in testosterone synthesis, and reduced anogenital distance reveal the feminising effects of phthalates. Mono phthalates are the metabolites of these chemicals and cause similar effects. Bisphenol A (BPA) also has similar endocrine-disrupting potential. DNA damage has been recorded in sperms along with disruption in the secretion of the follicle-stimulating hormone and plasma and intratesticular testosterone. Both spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis were highly affected due to exposure to these chemicals. Females exposed to plasticisers show oocyte incompetence, increased possibility of miscarriage, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and disrupted secretion of oestrogen and progesterone leading to ovulatory cycles. Abnormalities in oogenesis occur during the meiotic phases.