The Impact of Phthalate on Reproductive Function in Women with Endometriosis

Overview

Journal Reprod Med Biol

Specialty Biology

Date 2021 Apr 14

PMID 33850448

Citations 2

Authors

Ya-Ching Chou

Chii-Ruey Tzeng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition in which stromal or glandular epithelium is implanted in extrauterine locations. Endometriosis causes detrimental effects on the granulosa cells, and phthalate interferes with the biological and reproductive function of endometrial cells at a molecular level.

Methods: This article retrospectively reviewed the studies on phthalate exposure and its relationship with endometriosis. A literature search was performed for scientific articles using the keywords "phthalate and endometriosis," "endometriosis and granulosa cells," "phthalate and granulosa cells," and "phthalates and endometrial cells."

Results: Endometriosis can affect cytokine production, steroidogenesis, cell cycle progression, expression of estrogen receptor-α (ER-α)/progesterone receptor (PR), and cause endoplasmic reticulum stress, senescence, apoptosis, autophagy, and oxidative stress in the granulosa cells. Mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) alters the expression of cytokines, cell cycle-associated genes, ovarian stimulation, steroidogenesis, and progesterone production. Several in vitro studies have demonstrated that phthalate caused inflammation, invasion, change in cytokines, increased oxidative stress, viability, resistance to hydrogen peroxide, and proliferation of endometrial cells.

Conclusion: This might provide new insights about the impact of phthalate on the pathogenesis of endometriosis and its consequences on the ovarian function.

Citing Articles

Morin hydrate treatment minimizes Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced uterine fibrosis, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in mice.

Kumar V, Kumar R, Gurusubramanian G, Rathore S, Roy V Mol Biol Rep. 2025; 52(1):308.

PMID: 40080243 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-025-10423-4.

Cross-sectional associations between phthalates, phenols, and parabens with metabolic syndrome risk during early-to-mid adolescence among a cohort of Mexican youth.

Zamora A, Jansen E, Goodrich J, Tellez-Rojo M, Song P, Meeker J Environ Res. 2023; 236(Pt 1):116706.

PMID: 37474091 PMC: 10592077. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116706.

The impact of phthalate on reproductive function in women with endometriosis.

Chou Y, Tzeng C Reprod Med Biol. 2021; 20(2):159-168.

PMID: 33850448 PMC: 8022091. DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12364.

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