Abstract:

Nonylphenol (NP) is an environmental endocrine disrupting chemical (ED), which mainly comes from the biodegradation of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs). As nonionic surfactants, NPEOs are widely used in chemical products, such as detergent, lubricant additives, and plastics additives. NP has estrogenic activity, so it may influence and harm the female reproductive system. Although the mechanism of its estrogenic activity is not very clear，the adverse effects of NP on human bodies should not be ignored. This paper reviews the researches on the reproductive toxicity of NP, and provides evidence for reducing the NP emission and finding alternatives.

Key words: nonylphenol, environmental endocrine disruptors, female reproductive system