A Systematic Literature Review of Reproductive Toxicological Studies on Phthalates

Abstract

Phthalates are widely used plasticizers recognized as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with well-documented adverse effects on reproductive health. These compounds act either directly or through their metabolites and can influence various biochemical pathways. Key phthalates that have been associated with potential toxic outcomes include di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), and diisodecyl phthalate (DiDP). The presence of these compounds in everyday consumer products has been associated with various adverse effects on human reproductive health, including hormonal disruption, issues in gonadal function, and other hormone related problems. This systematic review provides an overview and critical synthesis of the most recent research regarding phthalate reproductive toxicity. The scope is to summarize and aggregate correlations between phthalate exposure and reproductive health outcomes and highlight factors, such as age, sex, and extent of exposure, that have the most significant impacts on clinical outcomes. The reported studies focus on the gender-specific outcomes of various phthalates, while the epidemiological data reveal the importance of exposure duration and age. The reported results highlight the need for strict regulations regarding phthalate usage and the importance of developing safer alternatives.