“…Phthalate metabolites activate ERα, ERβ and AR, making them prime candidates for disrupting penile development ( Engel et al, 2017 , Takeuchi et al, 2005 ). Many reproductive abnormalities may be induced by phthalate exposure during pregnancy, including shortened anogenital distance, cryptorchidism and hypospadias ( Czubacka et al, 2021 , Qian et al, 2020 , Skakkebaek et al, 2016 ). Phthalate exposure disrupts testicular androgen production in mice, lowering sperm quality and reducing fertility ( Barakat et al, 2017 , Barakat et al, 2019 ).…”