Tuesday11 February 2025
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Fertility Killer: A common substance is drastically reducing people's chances of conceiving a child.

Issues related to the reproductive system are becoming an increasingly common topic of discussion due to a variety of detrimental factors that diminish people's chances of conceiving a child. Recently, however, researchers have uncovered the true extent of the problem, which could potentially affect hundreds of millions of individuals.
Убийца фертильности: распространенное вещество снижает шансы на зачатие ребенка у людей.

A recent study by scientists has revealed the harmful effects of benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), a common plasticizer, on our reproductive health. BBP, widely used to enhance the flexibility of plastics, has long been associated with endocrine disruptions and reproductive toxicity.

The research, led by Monica Colaiacovo, a molecular biologist at Harvard Medical School and published in the journal PLOS Genetics, demonstrated how exposure to BBP impacts meiosis—a specific type of cell division that produces egg and sperm cells, reducing the chromosome number by half. This ensures that when these cells unite during reproduction, the offspring have the correct number of chromosomes.

Using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, Colaiacovo's team discovered that even low doses of BBP cause DNA strand breaks, chromosomal fragmentation, and an increase in male offspring within hermaphroditic populations, indicating a potential fertility risk for millions.

The study examined the effects of BBP at various doses employing high-throughput screening methods to determine how it interferes with X chromosome segregation. The results revealed that even minuscule doses of BBP have a significant impact, disrupting chromosomal segregation and leading to an unusually high proportion of male offspring compared to the typical 0.1-0.2 percent.

The researchers observed delays in progression during meiotic prophase, where chromosomes failed to organize properly, triggering DNA damage checkpoints. Colaiacovo noted that defects in meiosis significantly increase the number of chromosomal errors: "Instead of 0.2 percent males, the end result becomes 30-40 percent males." By analyzing BBP metabolism in C. elegans, the team found similarities to how humans process this chemical.

The scientists confirmed that BBP and its metabolites in the worms at minimal concentrations were comparable to levels found in human biological samples, such as urine from pregnant women and umbilical cord blood. This physiologically relevant dose provided insights into how BBP exposure could lead to reproductive issues in humans.

DNA damage, oxidative stress, and chromosomal abnormalities caused by BBP also resulted in increased embryonic lethality. Further investigation showed that BBP exposure disrupts the expression of 344 genes, many of which are linked to oocyte integrity and extracellular matrix processes. The team also observed an increase in oxidative stress in germline cells, using fluorescent markers to confirm the heightened cellular stress response.

"What struck us most was the potential activation of the oxidative stress response," Colaiacovo explained, "this stress, in turn, disrupts chromosomal segregation and causes persistent DNA damage."

The study underscored the importance of examining the effects of BBP on male gametes, which is a primary focus for Colaiacovo's future research. BBP is commonly found in everyday products like cosmetics, plastics, and food packaging, making it extremely dangerous for hundreds of millions of people.

Its presence in such products raises concerns among scientists regarding long-term exposure and reproductive risks. These findings may empower consumers, regulatory bodies, and manufacturers to reconsider the use of BBP in products and seek safer alternatives, the authors hope.

Important! This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and does not contradict it. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. For diagnosis, please consult a physician.