title: The classic EDCs, phthalate esters and organochlorines, in relation to abnormal sperm quality: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
abstract: The association between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and human sperm quality is controversial due to the inconsistent literature findings, therefore, a systematic review with meta-analysis was performed. Through the literature search and selection based on inclusion criteria, a total of 9 studies (7 cross-sectional, 1 case-control, and 1 pilot study) were analyzed for classic EDCs (5 studies for phthalate esters and 4 studies for organochlorines). Funnel plots revealed a symmetrical distribution with no evidence of publication bias (Begg's test: intercept = 0.40; p = 0.692). The summary odds ratios (OR) of human sperm quality associated with the classic EDCs was 1.67 (95% CI: 1.31-2.02). After stratification by specific chemical class, consistent increases in the risk of abnormal sperm quality were found in phthalate ester group (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.09-1.95) and organochlorine group (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.34-2.62). Additionally, identification of official data, and a comprehensive review of the mechanisms were performed, and better elucidated the increased risk of these classic EDCs on abnormal sperm quality. The present systematic review and meta-analysis helps to identify the impact of classic EDCs on human sperm quality. However, it still highlights the need for additional epidemiological studies in a larger variety of geographic locations.
authors.affiliation: State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.|Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.|Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Kangda Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.|Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China.
authors.forename: Zhan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.|Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China.
authors.forename: Yongquan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.|Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China.
authors.forename: Meilin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, 1207 Gilbert Drive, Lubbock, TX 79416, USA.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cromie
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, 1207 Gilbert Drive, Lubbock, TX 79416, USA.
authors.forename: Weimin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.|Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China.
authors.forename: Shou-Lin
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004952:Esters / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000633:toxicity; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004952:Esters; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C032279:phthalic acid