Prenatal phthalate exposure impairs testicular function and shortens anogenital distance in male rodents. That's the main conclusion from an article published in the August edition of Environmental Health Perspectives.

The researchers examined nine phthalate monoester metabolites, measured in prenatal urine samples

"The associations between male genital development and phthalate exposure seen here are consistent with the phthalate-related syndrome of incomplete virilization that has been reported in prenatally exposed rodents", wrote the researchers from American and Danish universities

They conclude that "prenatal phthalate exposure at environmental levels can adversely affect male reproductive development in humans."

• Read the article abstract