Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41347044›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in toxicology2025

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the reproductive effects of micro- pollutants in humans and animals.

Luca Coppeta, Cristiana Ferrari, Lorenzo Ippoliti, Luisa Campagnolo, Andrea Magrini

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in toxicology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Luca CoppetaDepartment of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Cristiana FerrariDepartment of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Lorenzo IppolitiDepartment of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Luisa CampagnoloDepartment of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Andrea MagriniDepartment of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Micro-pollutants, such as particulate matter, heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting compounds, and persistent organic pollutants, raise significant concerns regarding reproductive health in both humans and animals. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, assessed available evidence on micro-pollutant exposure and reproductive outcomes. Out of 2,134 records identified, 52 studies (31 human, 21 animal) met inclusion criteria. Results: Exposure to micro-pollutants was consistently associated with adverse reproductive outcomes. Human studies reported increased risks of irregular menstruation, preterm delivery (OR = 1.42), intrauterine growth restriction (OR = 1.36), and reductions in sperm concentration (SMD = -0.48) and testosterone levels. A meta-analysis of 23 studies confirmed these associations, while animal studies provided mechanistic support, including histological damage and epigenetic modifications. Despite substantial heterogeneity, the overall quality of included studies was moderate-to-high. Conclusion: Evidence indicates that micro-pollutants are strongly associated with impaired reproductive health. While causality cannot be definitively established due to observational study designs, the consistency of findings across populations, pollutants, and species highlights an urgent need for further research and regulatory measures to mitigate reproductive risks.

Indexed as

endocrine-disrupting chemicalsfertilityheavy metalsmicro-pollutantspersistent organic pollutantsPM10PM2.5reproductive health

Identifiers

PMID41347044
PMCPMC12673271

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.