Associations Between Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure and Fertility Outcomes: A Decade of Human Epidemiological Evidence
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that interfere with the endocrine system by mimicking or blocking the action of endogenous hormones such as estrogens, androgens, and thyroid hormones. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current epidemiological evidence linking E...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Zoe Tzouma Panagiota Dourou Athina Diamanti Vikentia Harizopoulou Petros Papalexis Grigorios Karampas Alina Liepinaitienė Audrius Dėdelė Antigoni Sarantaki |
| author_facet | Zoe Tzouma Panagiota Dourou Athina Diamanti Vikentia Harizopoulou Petros Papalexis Grigorios Karampas Alina Liepinaitienė Audrius Dėdelė Antigoni Sarantaki |
| author_sort | Zoe Tzouma |
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| description | Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that interfere with the endocrine system by mimicking or blocking the action of endogenous hormones such as estrogens, androgens, and thyroid hormones. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current epidemiological evidence linking EDC exposure with adverse reproductive outcomes in males and females of reproductive age. A total of 14 observational studies published between 2014 and 2024 were included following structured searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The most commonly studied EDCs included bisphenol A (BPA), its analogs (such as bisphenol S, BPS), phthalates, parabens, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The review found consistent associations between EDC exposure and multiple reproductive endpoints, such as impaired semen quality, decreased ovarian reserve, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), altered hormone levels—specifically estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)—and adverse outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF). Despite methodological heterogeneity, the findings support the biological plausibility of EDCs in disrupting reproductive function. The review highlights the urgent need for regulatory measures, increased public awareness, and longitudinal studies to assess the cumulative effects of chronic EDC exposure on human fertility. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
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| spelling | doaj-art-b2ea1df062544f57aaaf4597da51a3742025-08-20T03:58:31ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-06-0115799310.3390/life15070993Associations Between Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure and Fertility Outcomes: A Decade of Human Epidemiological EvidenceZoe Tzouma0Panagiota Dourou1Athina Diamanti2Vikentia Harizopoulou3Petros Papalexis4Grigorios Karampas5Alina Liepinaitienė6Audrius Dėdelė7Antigoni Sarantaki8Midwifery Department, Faculty of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica, Egaleo, 12243 Athens, GreeceMidwifery Department, Faculty of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica, Egaleo, 12243 Athens, GreeceMidwifery Department, Faculty of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica, Egaleo, 12243 Athens, GreeceMidwifery Department, Faculty of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica, Egaleo, 12243 Athens, GreeceUnit of Endocrinology, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, LT-44404 Kaunas, LithuaniaDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, LT-44404 Kaunas, LithuaniaMidwifery Department, Faculty of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica, Egaleo, 12243 Athens, GreeceEndocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that interfere with the endocrine system by mimicking or blocking the action of endogenous hormones such as estrogens, androgens, and thyroid hormones. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current epidemiological evidence linking EDC exposure with adverse reproductive outcomes in males and females of reproductive age. A total of 14 observational studies published between 2014 and 2024 were included following structured searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The most commonly studied EDCs included bisphenol A (BPA), its analogs (such as bisphenol S, BPS), phthalates, parabens, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The review found consistent associations between EDC exposure and multiple reproductive endpoints, such as impaired semen quality, decreased ovarian reserve, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), altered hormone levels—specifically estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)—and adverse outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF). Despite methodological heterogeneity, the findings support the biological plausibility of EDCs in disrupting reproductive function. The review highlights the urgent need for regulatory measures, increased public awareness, and longitudinal studies to assess the cumulative effects of chronic EDC exposure on human fertility.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/993endocrine-disrupting chemicalsreproductive healthinfertilityhormonal imbalancebisphenol A |
| spellingShingle | Zoe Tzouma Panagiota Dourou Athina Diamanti Vikentia Harizopoulou Petros Papalexis Grigorios Karampas Alina Liepinaitienė Audrius Dėdelė Antigoni Sarantaki Associations Between Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure and Fertility Outcomes: A Decade of Human Epidemiological Evidence Life endocrine-disrupting chemicals reproductive health infertility hormonal imbalance bisphenol A |
| title | Associations Between Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure and Fertility Outcomes: A Decade of Human Epidemiological Evidence |
| title_full | Associations Between Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure and Fertility Outcomes: A Decade of Human Epidemiological Evidence |
| title_fullStr | Associations Between Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure and Fertility Outcomes: A Decade of Human Epidemiological Evidence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Associations Between Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure and Fertility Outcomes: A Decade of Human Epidemiological Evidence |
| title_short | Associations Between Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure and Fertility Outcomes: A Decade of Human Epidemiological Evidence |
| title_sort | associations between endocrine disrupting chemical exposure and fertility outcomes a decade of human epidemiological evidence |
| topic | endocrine-disrupting chemicals reproductive health infertility hormonal imbalance bisphenol A |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/993 |
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