Jonatan Axelsson1, Lars Rylander2, Anna Rignell-Hydbom2, Bo A G Jönsson2, Christian H Lindh2, Aleksander Giwercman3. 1. Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Dept. of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden; Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: jonatan.axelsson@med.lu.se. 2. Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden. 3. Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Dept. of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In animals, exposure to certain phthalates negatively affects the male reproductive function. Human results are conflicting and mostly based on subfertile males, in whom the association between exposure and reproductive function may differ from the general population. OBJECTIVES: To study if levels of phthalate metabolites were associated with semen quality and reproductive hormones in general Swedish men. METHODS: We recruited 314 young men delivering semen, urine and blood samples at the same visit. We analyzed reproductive hormones and several semen parameters including progressive motility and high DNA stainability (HDS)-a marker for sperm immaturity. In urine, we analyzed metabolites of phthalates, including diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). We studied associations between urinary levels of the metabolites and seminal as well as serum reproductive parameters, accounting for potential confounders. RESULTS: DEHP metabolite levels, particularly urinary mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), were negatively associated with progressive sperm motility, which was 11 (95% CI: 5.0-17) percentage points lower in the highest quartile of MECPP than in the lowest. Further, men in the highest quartile of the DEHP metabolite monoethylhexyl phthalate had 27% (95% CI: 5.5%-53%) higher HDS than men in the lowest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: DEHP metabolite levels seemed negatively associated with sperm motility and maturation.
BACKGROUND: In animals, exposure to certain phthalates negatively affects the male reproductive function. Human results are conflicting and mostly based on subfertile males, in whom the association between exposure and reproductive function may differ from the general population. OBJECTIVES: To study if levels of phthalate metabolites were associated with semen quality and reproductive hormones in general Swedish men. METHODS: We recruited 314 young men delivering semen, urine and blood samples at the same visit. We analyzed reproductive hormones and several semen parameters including progressive motility and high DNA stainability (HDS)-a marker for sperm immaturity. In urine, we analyzed metabolites of phthalates, including diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). We studied associations between urinary levels of the metabolites and seminal as well as serum reproductive parameters, accounting for potential confounders. RESULTS:DEHP metabolite levels, particularly urinary mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), were negatively associated with progressive sperm motility, which was 11 (95% CI: 5.0-17) percentage points lower in the highest quartile of MECPP than in the lowest. Further, men in the highest quartile of the DEHP metabolite monoethylhexyl phthalate had 27% (95% CI: 5.5%-53%) higher HDS than men in the lowest quartile. CONCLUSIONS:DEHP metabolite levels seemed negatively associated with sperm motility and maturation.
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