Comprehensive Effects of Parabens in Human Physiology Seeham Ali Qasim Alkafajy1*, and Rawaa Abdul-Ameer Abdul-Jabbar1 1. Dept of Biology, College of Science, Mutansiriyah University, Iraq *Corresponding author:
[email protected] Abstract:- Parabens are industrial chemicals that have been widely applied as preservatives for many products, such as cosmetics, medicines and foodstuffs, due to their ability to extend the life of products and prevent pathogenic bacteria and mold from developing them. Paraben compounds include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, heptylparaben and benzyl-paraben.P-hydroxybenzoic acid is the main receptor of parabens in the human body, recently, it has been observed these compounds are present in blood serum and urine in different concentrations after multiple and long-term exposure to parabens as it is absorbed through the skin due to the ability of parabens to dissolve in water. Also, the increased ability of parabens to penetrate the skin depends on their structures, length of ester side chains, and the type of volatile solvents such as acetone and ethanol. Academic studies have also proven the presence of these chemical compounds in the breast tissue of breast cancer patients, as the estrogenic properties of parabens may play a role in the development of breast cancer that has raised public concern about their use. Other studies have confirmed that parabens are classified among substances that cause endocrine function disruption, such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. On the other hand, researches indicated that women who have a high concentration of polyethylene paraben suffer from short menstrual periods and poor fertility, and current studies conducted on male rats have found that parabens negatively affect the function of the male reproductive system by reducing the concentration of sperm, reducing the level of testosterone secretion in their serum and comprehensively affects the quality of semen in males.