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Impacts of environmental stressors on fertility and fecundity across taxa, with implications for planetary health
Summary
Researchers review cross-species evidence showing that exposure to synthetic chemicals — including microplastics and PFAS — acts via endocrine disruption to reduce fertility, fecundity, and reproductive success across taxa, with some effects persisting across generations, underscoring the need for systemic approaches to chemical regulation.
Exposure to synthetic chemicals occurs across species. These substances are often untested, highly persistent, and lack regulation. Together with climate change, they can cause population decline. Many act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, interfering with hormones at low concentrations. Emerging pollutants, including microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, further contribute. Impacts include reduced fertility, fecundity, and even multigenerational harm. Cross-species evidence underscores the need for systemic approaches to protect biodiversity and planetary health.