Environmental exposure to non-persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals and semen quality: An overview of the current epidemiological evidence

Abstract

Some of the recent publications have reported a decline in semen quality in the last few decades. This phenomenon is associated with environmental factors, particularly with exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The aim of this publication is to critically review the literature on exposure to the following 6 ubiquitous environmental non-persistent EDCs: bisphenol A, triclosan, parabens, synthetic pyrethroids, organophosphate pesticides and phthalates, and on their influence on semen quality measured as sperm concentration, sperm volume, total sperm count, motility, total motile count, morphology, sperm motion, sperm DNA damage (comet extent, tail length, tail distributed moment, percent of DNA located in the tail (tail%), DNA fragmentation index, high DNA stainability, X:Y ratio and aneuploidy. Several electronic databases were systematically searched until 31 August 2016. Studies were qualified for the review if they: linked environmental exposure to non-persistent EDCs to semen quality outcomes, were published in English after 2006 (and, in the case of phthalates, if they were published after 2009) and were conducted in the case of humans. Out of the 970 references, 45 articles were included in the review. This review adds to the body of evidence that exposure to non-persistent EDCs may affect semen quality parameters and decrease semen quality. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(4):377–414

Transgenerational epigenetic effects from male exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds: a systematic review on research in mammals

“…Their application ranges from food packaging materials to their use in medical devices. Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to several phthalates are linked to impaired male reproductive function and semen quality [90,91].…”

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) and Uterine Histological Characteristics

“…The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences defines EDCs as "chemicals that interfere with the body's endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune effects." Phthalates are broadly classified as endocrine disruptors in wildlife and human Lyche et al, 2009;Su et al, 2014;Bansal et al 2018;Zamkowska et al, 2018). In humans, phthalate exposure alters steroid levels during gestation, infancy, and adulthood Lyche et al, 2009;Su et al, 2014).…”

<p>Fetal Programming of Semen Quality (FEPOS) Cohort – A DNBC Male-Offspring Cohort</p>

“…5 Several factors in adult life have been linked to reduced semen quality, including lifestyle such as smoking, chronic alcohol use, obesity, sleep, and nutrition [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] and occupational and environmental exposures such as sedentary work, radiation, air pollution, bisphenol A, parabens, organophosphate pesticides, pyrethroids, and phthalates. [13][14][15][16][17] Still, subfertility remains unexplained for many, and the underlying causes are far from understood. According to the 'fetal origins of adult disease hypothesis' suggested by Barker and Osmond in 1986, the environment encountered during fetal life is strongly related to the risk of developing non-communicable diseases later in life.…”