Semen phthalate metabolites, semen quality parameters and serum reproductive hormones: A cross-sectional study in China. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Yi-Xin; Zeng, Qiang; Sun, Yang; Yang, Pan; Wang, Peng; Li, Jin; Huang, Zhen; You, Ling; Huang, Yue-Hui; Wang, Cheng; Li, Yu-Feng; Lu, Wen-Qing
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 211(2016)
• Page Start: 173
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Biomarkers -- Epidemiology -- Semen phthalates -- Semen quality -- Hormones; BBzP butyl benzyl phthalate -- DBP di-n-butyl phthalate -- DEHP di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate -- FAI free androgen index -- FDR false-discovery rate -- FSH follicle-stimulating hormone -- LH luteinizing hormone -- LIN linearity -- MBP monobutyl phthalate -- MBzP monobenzyl phthalate -- MEP monoethyl phthalate -- MEHP mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate -- MEHHP mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate -- MEOHP mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate -- MMP monomethyl phthalate -- MOP mono-n-octyl phthalate -- SHBG sex hormone-binding globulin -- VCL curvilinear velocity -- VSL straight-line velocity -- %MEHP the percentage of DEHP metabolites excreted as MEHP; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.12.052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Exposure to phthalates has been found to have adverse effects on male reproductive function in animals. However, the findings from human studies are inconsistent. Here we examined the associations of phthalate exposure with semen quality and reproductive hormones in a Chinese population using phthalate metabolite concentrations measured in semen as biomarkers. Semen ( n = 687) and blood samples ( n = 342) were collected from the male partners of sub-fertile couples who presented to the Reproductive Center of Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China. Semen quality parameters and serum reproductive hormone levels were determined. Semen concentrations of 8 phthalate metabolites were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Associations of the semen phthalate metabolites with semen quality parameters and serum reproductive hormones were assessed using confounder-adjusted linear and logistic regression models. Semen phthalate metabolites were significantly associated with decreases in semen volume [mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP)], sperm curvilinear velocity [monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), MEHP, the percentage of di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate metabolites excreted as MEHP (%MEHP)], and straight-line velocity (MBzP, MEHP, %MEHP), and also associated with an increased percentage of abnormal heads and tails (MBzP) (all p for trend <0.05). These associations remained suggestive or significant after adjustment for multiple testing. There were no significant associations between semen phthalate metabolites and serum reproductive hormones. Our findings suggest that environmental exposure to phthalates may impair human semen quality. Highlights: We quantified 8 phthalate metabolites in the semen samples from 687 adult men. We assessed associations of the metabolites with semen quality and serum hormones. Adult men in this population are commonly exposed to phthalates. Exposure to BBzP, DBP and DEHP may impair human semen quality. Abstract : Environmental exposure to BBzP, DBP and DEHP may impair human semen quality.