Research progress on reproductive toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of fluorinated organic compounds that are used in industrial production and widely exist in the environment. As one of the environmental endocrine disruptors, PFAS have a variety of toxicities. In recent years, more and more studies focus on its reproductive toxicity. In men, PFAS are related to decreased sperm quality and testosterone levels. In women, PFAS are related to abnormal levels of sex hormones, increased risks of infertility, and irregular menstrual cycle. Mechanism studies have shown that PFAS may produce reproductive toxicity through affecting hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, interfering with sex hormone synthesis, and inducing oxidative stress in germ cells. This article summarized the reproductive toxicity of PFAS from the aspects of epidemiological, laboratory animal, and related mechanism studies, aiming to further understand its toxic effects and mechanisms.