Prenatal Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Its Negative Health Effects on Offspring: In Vivo and Epidemiological Studies

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a low-molecular-weight phthalate commonly found in personal care products, such as perfumes, aftershaves, and nail care items, as well as in children’s toys, pharmaceuticals, and food products. It is used to improve flexibility, make polymer products soft and malleable, an...

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Main Authors: Ana R. Quelhas, Melissa Mariana, Elisa Cairrao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Xenobiotics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4713/14/4/109
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author Ana R. Quelhas
Melissa Mariana
Elisa Cairrao
author_facet Ana R. Quelhas
Melissa Mariana
Elisa Cairrao
author_sort Ana R. Quelhas
collection DOAJ
description Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a low-molecular-weight phthalate commonly found in personal care products, such as perfumes, aftershaves, and nail care items, as well as in children’s toys, pharmaceuticals, and food products. It is used to improve flexibility, make polymer products soft and malleable, and as solvents and stabilizers in personal care products. Pregnancy represents a critical period during which both the mother and the developing embryo can be significantly impacted by exposure to endocrine disruptors. This article aims to elucidate the effects of prenatal exposure to DBP on the health and development of offspring, particularly on the reproductive, neurological, metabolic, renal, and digestive systems. Extensive research has examined the effects of DBP on the male reproductive system, where exposure is linked to decreased testosterone levels, reduced anogenital distance, and male infertility. In terms of the female reproductive system, DBP has been shown to elevate serum estradiol and progesterone levels, potentially compromising egg quality. Furthermore, exposure to this phthalate adversely affects neurodevelopment and is associated with obesity, metabolic disorders, and conditions such as hypospadias. These findings highlight how urgently stronger laws prohibiting the use of phthalates during pregnancy are needed to lower the risks to the fetus’s health and the child’s development.
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spelling doaj-art-6992121cf7c84e9d98aa8f6a1e31ac4e2025-08-20T02:50:53ZengMDPI AGJournal of Xenobiotics2039-47052039-47132024-12-011442039207510.3390/jox14040109Prenatal Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Its Negative Health Effects on Offspring: In Vivo and Epidemiological StudiesAna R. Quelhas0Melissa Mariana1Elisa Cairrao2Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, PortugalHealth Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, PortugalFaculty of Sciences (FC-UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, PortugalDibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a low-molecular-weight phthalate commonly found in personal care products, such as perfumes, aftershaves, and nail care items, as well as in children’s toys, pharmaceuticals, and food products. It is used to improve flexibility, make polymer products soft and malleable, and as solvents and stabilizers in personal care products. Pregnancy represents a critical period during which both the mother and the developing embryo can be significantly impacted by exposure to endocrine disruptors. This article aims to elucidate the effects of prenatal exposure to DBP on the health and development of offspring, particularly on the reproductive, neurological, metabolic, renal, and digestive systems. Extensive research has examined the effects of DBP on the male reproductive system, where exposure is linked to decreased testosterone levels, reduced anogenital distance, and male infertility. In terms of the female reproductive system, DBP has been shown to elevate serum estradiol and progesterone levels, potentially compromising egg quality. Furthermore, exposure to this phthalate adversely affects neurodevelopment and is associated with obesity, metabolic disorders, and conditions such as hypospadias. These findings highlight how urgently stronger laws prohibiting the use of phthalates during pregnancy are needed to lower the risks to the fetus’s health and the child’s development.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4713/14/4/109phthalateplastic contaminantsendocrine disruptorpregnancymaternal–fetal exposure
spellingShingle Ana R. Quelhas
Melissa Mariana
Elisa Cairrao
Prenatal Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Its Negative Health Effects on Offspring: In Vivo and Epidemiological Studies
Journal of Xenobiotics
phthalate
plastic contaminants
endocrine disruptor
pregnancy
maternal–fetal exposure
title Prenatal Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Its Negative Health Effects on Offspring: In Vivo and Epidemiological Studies
title_full Prenatal Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Its Negative Health Effects on Offspring: In Vivo and Epidemiological Studies
title_fullStr Prenatal Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Its Negative Health Effects on Offspring: In Vivo and Epidemiological Studies
title_full_unstemmed Prenatal Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Its Negative Health Effects on Offspring: In Vivo and Epidemiological Studies
title_short Prenatal Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Its Negative Health Effects on Offspring: In Vivo and Epidemiological Studies
title_sort prenatal exposure to dibutyl phthalate and its negative health effects on offspring in vivo and epidemiological studies
topic phthalate
plastic contaminants
endocrine disruptor
pregnancy
maternal–fetal exposure
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4713/14/4/109
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AT melissamariana prenatalexposuretodibutylphthalateanditsnegativehealtheffectsonoffspringinvivoandepidemiologicalstudies
AT elisacairrao prenatalexposuretodibutylphthalateanditsnegativehealtheffectsonoffspringinvivoandepidemiologicalstudies