Paternal Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Couples’ Pregnancy Outcomes: A Qualitative Review of the Literature
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous, and exposure to them has been associated with adverse reproductive health in both animals and humans. While the adverse effects of maternal EDC exposures on pregnancy outcomes have been extensively investigated, an increasing body of literature is now examining the role of paternal exposure, given its potential impact on sperm epigenetics. This review summarizes human studies examining associations between paternal exposure to several EDCs and couples’ pregnancy outcomes. Biomarker-based studies suggest potential negative associations between paternal preconception exposure to certain phthalates and couples’ pregnancy outcomes, whereas studies for bisphenol A and parabens have shown little to no associations. The evidence regarding benzophenones, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and flame-retardant chemicals remains limited and inconclusive. Given the critical knowledge gaps in this field, additional couple-based studies with repeated preconception exposure measurements are needed to clarify the effects of paternal exposure to individual EDCs and their mixtures on couples’ pregnancy outcomes. Additional studies on potential biological mechanisms that may explain these associations (e.g., sperm epigenome) are also warranted.