[Male reproductive damage caused by phthalate esters: Progress in research].

Abstract

Phthalate esters are plasticizers that people are often exposed to in daily life. They are closely related to our lives and generally exist in the air, soil and water. Studies show that the exposure to phthalates is associated with male reproductive damage. When the concentration of phthalates reaches a certain level in the body, it can reduce the count and motility of sperm, induce abnormalities in the reproductive system and organs, and affect male fertility. This review summarizes the advances in the studies of the metabolic pathway of phthalate esters in the human body, the mechanism underlying their damage to the male reproductive system and their antagonistic effect.