OBJECTIVES: Phthalates are environmental chemicals with reproductive toxicity and estrogenic effects in animals. They are of increasing concern to human health. AIM: To determine whether phthalate levels in semen were associated with infertility. METHODS: Using semen samples from 107 infertile and 94 fertile men, the presence and quantity of five phthalate esters were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using data collected from questionnaires and clinical examinations, the correlation between phthalate exposure and semen quality was analyzed. RESULTS: The cumulative levels of the measured phthalate esters were significantly higher in the infertility group compared to the control group (P<0·05). Concentrations of the five phthalate esters in men varied by age with older men showing higher cumulative levels. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of phthalates may contribute to male infertility in our study population.
OBJECTIVES: Phthalates are environmental chemicals with reproductive toxicity and estrogenic effects in animals. They are of increasing concern to human health. AIM: To determine whether phthalate levels in semen were associated with infertility. METHODS: Using semen samples from 107 infertile and 94 fertile men, the presence and quantity of five phthalate esters were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using data collected from questionnaires and clinical examinations, the correlation between phthalate exposure and semen quality was analyzed. RESULTS: The cumulative levels of the measured phthalate esters were significantly higher in the infertility group compared to the control group (P<0·05). Concentrations of the five phthalate esters in men varied by age with older men showing higher cumulative levels. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of phthalates may contribute to male infertility in our study population.
Entities:
Keywords:
High-performance liquid chromatography; Male infertility,; Phthalates,; Semen,
Authors: Dorien A M van Dartel; Jeroen L A Pennings; Peter J M Hendriksen; Frederik J van Schooten; Aldert H Piersma Journal: Reprod Toxicol Date: 2008-12-31 Impact factor: 3.143
Authors: Mary S Wolff; Stephanie M Engel; Gertrud S Berkowitz; Xiaoyun Ye; Manori J Silva; Chenbo Zhu; James Wetmur; Antonia M Calafat Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2008-08 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Mary S Wolff; Susan L Teitelbaum; Gayle Windham; Susan M Pinney; Julie A Britton; Carol Chelimo; James Godbold; Frank Biro; Lawrence H Kushi; Christine M Pfeiffer; Antonia M Calafat Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 9.031