Decabromodiphenyl ether
Decabromodiphenyl ether has been studied in 3 papers since 2020: none in people yet, 2 in animals, 1 in cells. The research so far is in animals and cells. The newest paper, Mar 4, 2025: “Paternal BDE-209 exposure disrupts spermatogenesis in mouse offspring via cGAS-STING pathway activation and mitophagy inhibition”.
See all 3 papers on decabromodiphenyl ether
At a glance
The findings reach mice, none yet in people. 2 independent labs in 1 country.
None of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 1 country
- Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Animals2
- Cells1
What did studies of decabromodiphenyl ether find?
8Studies of decabromodiphenyl ether measured 8 outcomes, among them cGAS–STING signaling, sperm quantity and quality and Mitochondrial function.
cGAS–STING signaling
upin mice1
1 study
cGAS–STING signaling
upin mice1
Decabromodiphenyl ether activates cGAS–STING signaling in mice (paternal exposure).
“exposure to BDE-209 resulted in DNA damage and the upregulation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) DNA-sensing and inflammatory signaling pathways”
Animalspaternal exposuretestis75 mg/(kg·day)50 daysmales
Journal of environmental sciences (China)
Sperm quantity and quality
downin mice1
1 study
Sperm quantity and quality
downin mice1
Decabromodiphenyl ether decreases sperm quantity and quality in mice (paternal exposure).
“Paternal BDE-209 exposure reduced both sperm quantity and quality in offspring.”
Animalspaternal exposure75 mg/(kg·day)50 daysmales
Journal of environmental sciences (China)
Mitochondrial function
downin mouse cells1
1 study
Mitochondrial function
downin mouse cells1
Decabromodiphenyl ether impairs mitochondrial function in mouse cells (oocytes exposed to BDE-209).
“exposure of oocytes to BDE-209 hinders mitochondrial function and disrupts mitochondrial integrity”
Cellsoocytes exposed to BDE-209
Ecotoxicology and environmental safety
Meiotic progression
downin mouse cells1
1 study
Meiotic progression
downin mouse cells1
Decabromodiphenyl ether impairs meiotic progression in mouse cells (oocytes exposed to BDE-209).
“murine oocytes exposed to BDE-209 produce a series of meiostic defects, including increased fragmentation rates and decreased PBE”
Cellsoocytes exposed to BDE-209
Ecotoxicology and environmental safety
Apoptosis
upin rats1
1 study
Apoptosis
upin rats1
Decabromodiphenyl ether increases apoptosis in rats (telomere dysfunction).
“which consequently caused cell senescence and apoptosis in testis of rat”
Animalstelomere dysfunctiontestis5, 50 and 500 mg/kg/day28-daymales
Environment international
Cellular senescence
upin rats1
1 study
Cellular senescence
upin rats1
Decabromodiphenyl ether increases cellular senescence in rats (telomere dysfunction).
“which consequently caused cell senescence and apoptosis in testis of rat”
Animalstelomere dysfunctiontestis5, 50 and 500 mg/kg/day28-daymales
Environment international
Sperm number and motility
downin rats1
1 study
Sperm number and motility
downin rats1
Decabromodiphenyl ether decreases sperm number and motility in rats.
“BDE-209 and DBDPE led to testicular damage in physiological structure, decreased the sperm number and motility”
Animalstestis5, 50 and 500 mg/kg/day28-daymales
Environment international
Telomere length
downin rats1
1 study
Telomere length
downin rats1
Decabromodiphenyl ether decreases telomere length in rats.
“BDE-209 and DBDPE could damage the telomeric function by shortening telomere length and reducing telomerase activity”
Animalstestis5, 50 and 500 mg/kg/day28-daymales
Environment international