Post Date December, 03 2023
Recently, a research group led by Susan Didi and Ras Hauser of Harvard University in the United States studied 168 adult men, and found that a chemical substance called "diethyl phthalate" contained in perfume can damage the DNA of adult male sperm, and said that it is usually contained in cosmetics such as soap and perfume used by women or other aromatic products.
Is it sensational or true that soap and perfume will damage male sperm DNA and lead to an increase in male infertility? Is it a family statement or a recognized fact in the industry?
Infertility expert: Diethyl phthalate has no effect on sperm
Jiang Feng, who specializes in male infertility research at the Shanghai Genetic and Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment Center, told reporters that to his knowledge, benzene, sulfur, bromine, ethane, and other chemicals that affect male sperm have a more significant effect, while "diethyl phthalate" does not have any adverse effects on male sperm. However, it can be confirmed that the rate of male infertility has indeed increased compared to before, reaching 30% of the total proportion. The density of male semen has also decreased from 60 million per milliliter to 20 million now, and the quantity and quality of male sperm have decreased significantly compared to before.
Male sperm, unlike other organs in the human body, is particularly sensitive to the environment. The factors that cause the increase in male infertility can be summarized as follows: smoking, excessive drinking, work stress, sauna washing, tight jeans, etc. Of course, air pollution, radioactive substances, etc. can also cause male infertility. "Dr. Shi Yi, a physician at Shanghai Jiai Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment Center, summarized the reasons for the increase in male infertility.
Organic Chemistry Expert: Diethyl phthalate does not accumulate in the human body
"Diethyl phthalate is produced at the level of 10000 tons. If it affects the DNA of male sperm, the workers in those factories will become infertile. In addition, we often use this material in experiments, and there is no problem. We have never heard of such a statement." This is the first reaction of Dr. Lv Long, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, after hearing the news. In addition, this substance is easily volatile and will not accumulate in the human body. It is also unknown that soap and perfume in China contain this substance.
Manufacturer's commitment: Domestic products do not contain diethyl phthalate
Mr. Huang from the research and development center of Unilever Shanghai Co., Ltd. and Su Rongsheng from the research department of Shanghai Daily Necessities Co., Ltd. told reporters directly that Lux, Xiashilian, Dove, Liushen soap and Maxam (transparent) soap, as well as Qing Fei and Bai Aishen perfume produced by household products, absolutely do not contain diethyl phthalate.
Su Rongsheng also told the reporter that diethyl phthalate is a substance added in essence, and it is unnecessary to add this substance in soap. Although perfume is composed of alcohol, water and essence, essence is composed of dozens or hundreds of substances, and different flavors are different raw materials. I have not heard that the perfume produced by domestic manufacturers contains diethyl phthalate.
Selenium deficiency leads to decreased fertility in men. As a mineral, selenium is an essential trace element for the human body. As a component of glutathione peroxidase (GSH2Px), the human body requires it to achieve many cellular functions, and it also has antioxidant properties. It plays an important role in eliminating free radicals, protecting the normal structure and function of cell membranes, nucleic acids, and proteins, and is an essential trace element for early human embryonic development. Selenium deficiency is closely related to the risk of decreased male fertility.
