Association between Urinary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolites and Sperm DNA Damage: A Population Study in Chongqing, China

Abstract

BackgroundPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of the most ubiquitous environmental contaminants, may reduce male reproductive functions, but the data from human population studies are very limited.ObjectivesWe designed this study to determine whether environmental exposure to PAHs contributes to the alteration in semen quality, sperm DNA damage, and apoptosis in the general male human population.MethodsWe measured urinary levels of four PAH metabolites and assessed semen quality, sperm apoptotic markers with Annexin V assay, and sperm DNA damage with comet assay in 232 men from Chongqing, China.ResultsWe found that increased urinary 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-OHNa) levels were associated with increased comet parameters, including the percentage of DNA in the tail (tail%) [β coefficient = 13.26% per log unit 2-OHNa (micrograms per gram creatinine); 95% confidence interval (CI), 7.97–18.55]; tail length (12.25; 95% CI, 0.01–24.52), and tail distribution (7.55; 95% CI, 1.28–18.83). The urinary level of 1-hydroxypyrene was associated only with increased tail% (5.32; 95% CI, 0.47–10.17). Additionally, the increased levels of four urinary PAH metabolites were significantly associated with decreased vital Annexin V negative sperm counts. However, there was no significant association between urinary PAH metabolite levels and human semen parameters or morphology of the sperm samples.ConclusionsOur data indicate that the environmental level of PAH exposure is associated with increased sperm DNA damage but not with semen quality. These findings suggest that exposure to PAHs may disrupt sperm DNA and thereby interfere with human male fertility.

Association between a biomarker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and semen quality

“…PAH-DNA adducts levels were significantly higher in the infertile versus fertile men (p = 0.04) [25]. The studies in general populations indicate that the environmental level of PAHs exposure is associated with the increased sperm DNA damage but not with the semen parameters or morphology [1]. Another study in general population by Rubes et al (2005) reports that PAHs exposure does not change semen quality [38].…”

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are released into the environment as a complex mixture of compounds during incomplete combustion of coal, wood, oil, gas, garbage or other organic substances [1]. PAHs constitute a group of toxic, lipophilic, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are widely distributed in the environment [2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

Decline of semen quality among 10 932 males consulting for couple infertility over a 20-year period in Marseille, France

“…[37][38][39] Among xenoestrogens, phthalates are ubiquitous in human life. Hsu et al 40 and Han et al 41 reported that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are associated with DNA damages. Recent studies have demonstrated that not only androgens but also oestrogens have an important role in male reproduction.…”

Origine développementale et environnementale de l’infertilité masculine

“…Par exemple, des taux élevés d'hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques (issus des pollutions automobile et industrielle) dans les urines sont associés à l'infertilité masculine liée à une augmentation des dommages à l'ADN des spermatozoïdes [10]. Une exposition professionnelle au bisphénol A (BPA) 2 est associée à des altérations hormonales (diminution de la testostérone), voire spermatiques (diminution du nombre de spermatozoïdes, de leur vitalité et de leur mobilité) même si certaines données sont contradictoires [11].…”