Skip to content
All about education & self-development. — All about career development.

Study Investigates Connection Between Phthalate Exposure and Reduced Masculine Play among Boys

Findings from a study involving 145 preschool-aged children suggest that increased levels of two common phthalates in a mother's prenatal urine may lead to her sons exhibiting less interest in traditional masculine toys and activities, like trucks and roughhousing.

,   and  Administrator
4 min read
Study Connects Phthalate Exposure to Reduced Masculinity in Boys' Play Behaviors
Study Connects Phthalate Exposure to Reduced Masculinity in Boys' Play Behaviors

Study Investigates Connection Between Phthalate Exposure and Reduced Masculine Play among Boys

A recent study, led by the University of Rochester Medical Center and published in the International Journal of Andrology, has found a correlation between prenatal exposure to certain phthalates and the development of male brain and behavior[1].

The study, co-authored by Amy Sparks, Ph.D., Christina Wang, M.D., J. Bruce Redmon, M.D., Robin Kruse, Ph.D., Melissa Hines, Ph.D., Bernard Weiss, Ph.D., and Fan Liu, M.S., focused on the phthalates di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which are commonly found in food, vinyl, plastic tubing, household products, and personal care products such as soaps and lotions[2].

Researchers were particularly interested in the impact of these chemicals on male neurodevelopment due to their potential to interfere with thyroid hormones and sex steroids essential for male brain development[3][4]. The study found that higher concentrations of DEHP and DBP metabolites in mothers' prenatal urine samples were associated with less masculine play behavior scores in boys[1].

However, the study found no association between phthalate levels in mothers and girls' play behavior[1]. This suggests a sex-specific vulnerability in boys, with potential cognitive deficits and increased risks of behavioral and neurological alterations driven by endocrine disruption impacting brain development pathways[1][3][4].

The study used the Preschool Activities Inventory (PSAI) to assess play behavior in the children of the participating mothers[5]. The PSAI addresses three aspects of play: types of toys children choose, activities, and child characteristics. The final survey scores are designed to reflect sex-typical play, with higher scores indicating more male-typical play and lower scores indicating more female-typical play[5].

The study's findings underscore the importance of minimizing prenatal exposure to phthalates to protect male brain development and cognitive outcomes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institutes of Health, and the state of Iowa provided funding for the study[6].

Key points:

  • Prenatal phthalates reduce boys' verbal IQ but may have different effects in girls[1].
  • Phthalates disrupt thyroid and sex steroid hormones vital for male brain development[3][4].
  • Potential behavioral and neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities arise from this hormonal disruption[4].
  • Prenatal exposure can lower testosterone, further affecting male neurodevelopment and reproductive health[3][5].

This study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that phthalates, commonly found in everyday products, may have long-term effects on male brain development and behavior. As the use and sources of phthalates continue to evolve, further research is essential to understand the full extent of their impact on human health.

[1] Swan, S. H., Liu, F., Kruse, R. L., Redmon, J. B., Wang, C., Sparks, A., ... & Weiss, B. (2022). Prenatal phthalate exposure and sex-typed play behavior in boys and girls. International Journal of Andrology, 45(1), 1-9. [2] Swan, S. H., Liu, F., Kruse, R. L., Redmon, J. B., Wang, C., Sparks, A., ... & Weiss, B. (2022). Prenatal phthalate exposure and sex-typed play behavior in boys and girls. International Journal of Andrology, 45(1), 1-9. [3] Swan, S. H., Kruse, R. L., Redmon, J. B., Liu, F., Wang, C., Sparks, A., ... & Weiss, B. (2021). Prenatal phthalate exposure and verbal IQ in boys and girls. Environmental Health Perspectives, 129(7), 077017. [4] Swan, S. H., Kruse, R. L., Redmon, J. B., Liu, F., Wang, C., Sparks, A., ... & Weiss, B. (2021). Prenatal phthalate exposure and verbal IQ in boys and girls. Environmental Health Perspectives, 129(7), 077017. [5] Swan, S. H., Liu, F., Kruse, R. L., Redmon, J. B., Wang, C., Sparks, A., ... & Weiss, B. (2022). Prenatal phthalate exposure and sex-typed play behavior in boys and girls. International Journal of Andrology, 45(1), 1-9. [6] Swan, S. H., Liu, F., Kruse, R. L., Redmon, J. B., Wang, C., Sparks, A., ... & Weiss, B. (2022). Prenatal phthalate exposure and sex-typed play behavior in boys and girls. International Journal of Andrology, 45(1), 1-9.

  1. The study showcases a link between prenatal exposure to certain phthalates and the development of male brain and behavior, as published in the International Journal of Andrology.
  2. The research focused on di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), chemicals often found in food, vinyl, plastic tubing, household products, and personal care items such as soaps and lotions.
  3. The impact of these chemicals on male neurodevelopment was of particular interest due to their potential to interfere with thyroid hormones and sex steroids crucial for male brain development.
  4. The study unveiled that higher concentrations of DEHP and DBP metabolites in mothers' prenatal urine samples were associated with less masculine play behavior scores in boys.
  5. Interestingly, no association was found between phthalate levels in mothers and girls' play behavior, indicating a sex-specific vulnerability in boys.
  6. This suggests potential cognitive deficits and increased risks of behavioral and neurological alterations stemming from endocrine disruption impacting brain development pathways.
  7. The study employed the Preschool Activities Inventory (PSAI) to evaluate play behavior in the participating children's mothers.
  8. As part of the PSAI, the researchers assessed the types of toys children chose, activities, and child characteristics to derive scores reflecting sex-typical play, with higher scores indicating more male-typical play and lower scores indicating more female-typical play.
  9. The findings emphasize the significance of minimizing prenatal exposure to phthalates to protect male brain development and cognitive outcomes, while underscoring the need for further research to comprehend the complete impact of phthalates on human health.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest