Associations of female exposure to bisphenol A with fecundability: Evidence from a preconception cohort study. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Bin; Zhou, Wei; Zhu, Wenting; Chen, Lin; Wang, Weiye; Tian, Ying; Shen, Lisong; Zhang, Jun
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 117(2018)
• Page Start: 139
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Bisphenol A -- Fecundability -- Infertility -- Perspective studies -- Time to pregnancy; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.05.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) is common. The reproductive toxicity of BPA has been well characterized. However, the impact of BPA exposure on fecundability in healthy women is less clear, and evidence from eastern countries is lacking. Objectives: We aimed to prospectively assess the associations of BPA with female fecundability, as measured by time to pregnancy (TTP). Methods: From 2013 to 2015, we included 700 Chinese couples attempting pregnancy in two preconception care clinics and followed for 12 months or until a pregnancy occurred. The concentrations of BPA were determined in preconception urine samples of female partners. Cox's proportional models for discrete survival time were used to estimate fecundability odds ratios (FORs). Odds ratios (ORs) for infertility (TTP > 12 months) were estimated using logistic regression models. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, each ln-unit increase in urinary concentrations of BPA was associated with a 13% reduction in fecundability (FOR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.98) and a 23% increase in odds of infertility (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.50). Women in the highest quartile of urinary BPA had a 30% reduction in fecundability (FOR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.96) and a 64% increase in odds of infertility when compared to those in the lowest quartile (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 0.90, 2.98). The associations of urinary BPA concentrations with fecundability (FOR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.95) and infertility (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.93) were strengthened among women over 30 years of age. Conclusions: Our results suggest that preconception concentrations of BPA in female urine were associated with decreased fecundability, particularly among women at older ages. These findings should be confirmed in future human studies. Highlights: Preconception concentrations of BPA in female urine were determined. BPA was associated with a longer time to pregnancy (TTP). BPA was associated with an increased risk of infertility. Association of BPA with fecundability was strengthened among women at older ages.