Cross Sectional Study on Exposure to BPA and Phthalates and Semen Parameters in Men Attending a Fertility Center

Bisphenol A (BPA) is considered an endocrine disruptor and has been associated with deleterious effects on spermatogenesis and male fertility. Bisphenol F (BPF) and S (BPS) are structurally similar to BPA, but knowledge of their effects on male fertility remains limited. In this cross–sectional study, we investigated the associations between exposure to BPA, BPF, and BPS and semen quality in 556 men 18–20 years of age from the Fetal Programming of Semen Quality (FEPOS) cohort. A urine sample was collected from each participant for determination of BPA, BPF, and BPS concentrations while a semen sample was collected to determine ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology. Associations between urinary bisphenol levels (continuous and quartile–divided) and semen characteristics were estimated using a negative binomial regression model adjusting for urine creatinine concentration, alcohol intake, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), fever, sexual abstinence time, maternal pre–pregnancy BMI, and first trimester smoking, and highest parental education during first trimester. We found no associations between urinary bisphenol of semen quality in a sample of young men from the general Danish population.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urinary Bisphenol A, F and S Levels and Semen Quality in Young Adult Danish Men

Benson

Gaml‐Sørensen

Ernst

et al. 2021

“…PAEs are considered as endocrine disruptors, being able to negatively modulate hormonal functions and pathways [ 46 , 47 ]; thus, interfering with estrogens and thyroid hormones [ 48 , 49 ]. Indeed, DEHP/MEHP and DBP/BBP/mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) can interact with estrogen receptor-1 (ESR1) in humans [ 50 ].…”

Section: Toxicological Aspects and Human Health Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In males, PAEs can be responsible of the so-called “phthalate syndrome” or “testicular dysgenesis syndrome”, accounting for cryptorchidism hypospadias [ 44 ], reduced anogenital distance, altered seminal parameters, infertility [ 46 ], and testicular cancer [ 51 ]. The molecular mechanism underlying the “phthalate syndrome” might be referred as the ability of these compounds to interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG axis) and to take part in signaling pathways involved in steroid homeostasis and biosynthesis [ 52 ].…”

Section: Toxicological Aspects and Human Health Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical Review on the Presence of Phthalates in Food and Evidence of Their Biological Impact

Giuliani

Zuccarini

Cichelli

et al. 2020

196

Phthalates are a huge class of chemicals with a wide spectrum of industrial uses, from the manufacture of plastics to food contact applications, children’s toys, and medical devices. People and animals can be exposed through different routes (i.e., ingestion, inhalation, dermal, or iatrogenic exposure), as these compounds can be easily released from plastics to water, food, soil, air, making them ubiquitous environmental contaminants. In the last decades, phthalates and their metabolites have proven to be of concern, particularly in products for pregnant women or children. Moreover, many authors reported high concentrations of phthalates in soft drinks, mineral waters, wine, oil, ready-to-eat meals, and other products, as a possible consequence of their accumulation along the food production chain and their accidental release from packaging materials. However, due to their different physical and chemical properties, phthalates do not have the same human and environmental impacts and their association to several human diseases is still under debate. In this review we provide an overview of phthalate toxicity, pointing out the health and legal issues related to their occurrence in several types of food and beverage.

“…Omran and coworkers [ 57 ] reported a negative association of urinary BPA levels with antioxidant levels and semen quality in terms of motility, morphology and concentration and a positive correlation with DNA damage, and seminal–plasma lipid peroxidation. Lastly, a possible correlation between BPA/phatales metabolites in urine and sperm parameters was investigated, suggesting a greater exposure to EDCs in hypofertile subjects compared to the general population [ 58 ]. From here, the need of further studies in the field.…”

Section: Sperm Quality Along Lifespanmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics: A Threat for Male Fertility

D’Angelo

Meccariello

2021

Much of the planet is swimming in discarded plastic, which is harming animal and possibly human health. Once at sea, sunlight, wind, and wave action break down plastic waste into small particles: the microplastics (MPs). Currently, particular attention has been drawn to their effects on aquatic environments but the health risks, especially in mammals, are poorly known. These non-biodegradable materials can act as a vector for environmental pollutants, can be ingested by humans in food and water, and can enter and accumulate in human tissues with a possible risk for heath. Recent studies revealed the deleterious effects of MPs exposure in male reproduction and sperm quality, making them a potential hazard to reproductive success. This manuscript summarizes the main changes in sperm quality along the lifespan and the upcoming studies on the effects of MPs in male fertility in mammals.