A number of studies have reported a deterioration in sperm quality over the past 50 years, 1,2 and a variety of factors have been implicated in this decline, including environmental and lifestyle factors. Data from animal and human studies suggest that endocrine-disrupting chemicals are associated in the etiopathogenesis with harmful effects on male reproductive health. 3 Furthermore, recent meta-analysis has suggested that EDCs not only have a deleterious effect on sperm quality but may also be associated with cryptorchidism, hypospadias, and testis cancer, the so-called testicular dysgenesis syndrome. 4 It has been postulated that environmental chemicals may affect the endocrine regulation of fertility since the 1920s. 5 Over the past decade, many chemicals have been observed to have the ability to disrupt the endocrine system and male reproductive health.

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