Environmental non-persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals exposure and reproductive hormones levels in adult men

Non-persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous, man-made substances present in the environment that may interfere with the natural human hormones and may exert adverse consequences on human organism. Endocrinedisrupting chemicals have been suspected to be associated with altered reproductive function in the case of males and females. Environmental endocrine-disrupting non-persistent chemicals like parabens, phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphate pesticides are found in various products such as metal food cans, plastic bottles, detergents, personal care products or chemicals used for fighting against insects. The widespread distribution of these chemicals causes that humans are permanently exposed through multiple sources. The aim of this review is to summarize data linking non-persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals exposure, and human, male reproductive hormones levels. The included studies were selected by searched PubMed, Web of Science and MEDLINE, original papers published from 2006 to 2016 and referring to human data were included to the review. The results of reviewed studies were not consistent, however, majority of the studies indicated that non-persistent EDCs may affect male reproductive hormones levels. Most findings suggest that exposure to environmental EDCs is negatively related to the level of testosterone (except for exposure to BPA which is positively associated). In most of the studies negative association was found between exposure to examined EDCs and free androgen index, too. Considering the suggested health effect of exposure to EDCs, more epidemiological data is needed. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(5):551–573