SynthesisReproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E2026
Phthalates as the silent saboteurs of male fertility via changes in semen quality: a systematic review.
Synthesis in Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Molecular Mechanisms of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Emerging-Pollutant Toxicity in Human Reproduction: From Xenobiotic Exposure to Fertility Impairment and Reproductive Carcinogenesis.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Phthalate induced testicular degeneration in mice: biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical evidence for the interplay of oxidative stress, caspase-3, and NF-κB signaling.Scientific reports · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPhthalates, which are commonly used as plasticizers, are pervasive in modern environments. The potential effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on human reproductive health have raised concerns. Among the various health risks, a significant focus has been on male fertility, particularly the relationship between phthalate exposure and a reduced sperm count. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) are two of the most studied phthalates because of their wide use in products such as plastics, cosmetics and medical devices. Growing evidence suggests that they may impair sperm production, viability, and quality, contributing to male infertility. This review synthesizes epidemiological and experimental evidence on the reproductive toxicity governed by phthalates in semen parameters.
methodsThis systematic review was conducted following the SWiM (synthesis without meta-analysis) guidelines. A comprehensive search across three major databases was conducted to capture literature on phthalate exposure and semen parameters, including sperm concentration, morphology and motility, published between 2014 and 14/10/2024. Two independent researchers screened and selected studies. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed via ROBINS-E tool. A meta-analysis was not performed due to variability in the study designs.
results38 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Human phthalate exposure has shown that semen parameters are altered, such as a decrease in the sperm concentration. Research suggests that high exposure to phthalates such as MEHP, DEHP and DBP is associated with reduced sperm concentration, motility, and overall semen quality. Phthalates remain a potential contributing factor in male fertility issues, but the variability in findings across populations and exposure levels in these populations indicate that more research is needed to understand this relationship.
conclusionPhthalates, particularly MEHP, DEHP and DBP, negatively affect sperm concentration and affect sperm morphology, likely through endocrine disruption and impairment of testicular function via oxidative stress. The certainty of the evidence is graded as low to moderate, primarily due to the observational nature of the included studies. However, given the potential risks to reproductive health, the evidence supports a precautionary approach advocating stricter regulation of phthalate exposure in everyday products.
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