[Reproductive toxicity of PBDE in males: Advances in studies]

Polybrominated biphenyl ether (PBDE) is a kind of brominated aromatic hydrocarbon commonly used as a flame retardant and now considered as one of the persistent organic pollutants, which generally exists in the environment and organisms. Studies have shown that PBDEs have an endocrine disrupting effect, neurotoxicity, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, and the ability of inducing reproductive toxicity in men by reducing semen quality, affecting testis germ cells and interfering with reproductive hormone levels. Although PBDEs have been banned in some countries, they do exist in our environment. Therefore, more studies are needed to reveal their potential toxicity and mechanisms, so as to monitor, predict and prevent their pollution. This review focuses on the male reproductive toxicity of PBDEs.