Study Reveals Low Levels of DEHP Disrupt Female Hormones and Fertility

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) at Karolinska Institutet has uncovered concerning evidence that di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a chemical commonly found in various plastic products, negatively impacts female hormonal balance and fertility. Published in the journal Toxicological Sciences, this research highlights the detrimental effects of DEHP at doses lower than those typically considered in safety assessments for reproductive health.

DEHP is classified as an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) known for its adverse effects on male reproductive health. However, this new study reveals that its impact on female fertility is equally significant. The researchers exposed adult female mice to varying doses of DEHP and observed notable alterations in key reproductive processes, including hormone levels and ovarian follicle counts.

The findings indicate that critical reproductive parameters, such as progesterone levels and the number of follicles, are particularly sensitive to DEHP exposure. These effects were dose-dependent, proving more pronounced than changes in body weight or estrous cycles--two parameters often used to evaluate reproductive toxicity in female subjects.

Despite the alarming results, existing regulatory frameworks frequently overlook risks specific to female reproductive health due to insufficient knowledge regarding these sensitive effects. Antero Vieira Silva, a postdoctoral researcher at IMM, emphasizes the urgent need to revise and enhance current safety assessments for chemicals, stating that many assessments are predominantly based on male-centric data.

In the study, advanced modeling techniques were employed to analyze data from four separate animal studies. The outcomes consistently demonstrated that female reproductive functions, including hormone levels and follicular development, are more susceptible to chemical exposure than previously acknowledged.

Moreover, the researchers reviewed the safety data for DEHP provided by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), revealing that current risk assessments primarily focus on male reproductive health, leaving a significant gap in understanding the effects on women. Silva asserts that it is essential to enhance protective measures for female fertility, as their research indicates that certain aspects of female reproduction might be more sensitive to chemical exposure than current regulations account for.

Traditionally, research has concentrated more on male fertility, but the findings from this study suggest that female reproductive health deserves equal attention in risk assessments for DEHP, phthalates, and other similar chemicals. Pauliina Damdimopoulou, a senior lecturer and research group leader at the Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, stresses the importance of acknowledging these findings in regulatory practices to safeguard female reproductive health.

The researchers express hope that their study will serve as a catalyst for updating safety standards to better protect women from harmful chemical exposures, aiming to bridge the existing knowledge gap regarding the impact of chemicals on female fertility.