Female Reproductive Health and Exposure to Phthalates and Bisphenol A: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

The xenoestrogenicity of some plasticisers (phthalates and bisphenol A) is documented in the literature and may pose a risk to female reproductive health. The aim of this study was to assess exposure to six phthalates. This was achieved by measuring their respective metabolites (mono-ethylphthalate (MEP); mono-n-butylphthalate (MnBP); mono-n-ottylphthalate (MnOP); and monobenzylphthalate (MBzP)), as well as the sum of two of the diethyl-hexyl phthalate metabolites-(∑DEHP) and bisphenol A (BPA) in a female population with infertility problems, and by conducting a correlation analysis between infertility factors, work activities, and lifestyle habits, in order to formulate a causal hypothesis. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out and women under 43 years of age were recruited from an assisted reproduction technology (ART) center; the sample of 186 women was given a specific questionnaire and a spot urine sample was collected. Phthalate metabolites and urinary BPA were analyzed by HPLC/MS/MS. The results showed significantly higher mean values for MEP in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) (820.5 ± 1929.5 µg/g of creatinine) and idiopathic infertility (230.0 ± 794.2 µg/g of creatinine) than in women with other infertility factors (76.9 ± 171.8 µg/g of creatinine). Similarly, for MnOP levels, women with idiopathic infertility (2.95 ± 3.44 µg/g of creatinine) showed significantly higher values than women with the other infertility factors taken together (1.35 ± 2.05 µg/g of creatinine). Women with tubal factors of infertility, RPL, and endocrine dysfunctions show higher values of DEHP (p = 0.032). Considering occupations, women working in commerce showed more than twice as much urinary BPA levels (1.10 ± 0.48 µg/g of creatinine) compared to women working in other industries (0.45 ± 0.35 µg/g of creatinine). The presence of significantly higher values of certain phthalates, DEHP in particular, especially in women with RPL and idiopathic infertility, suggests a possible involvement of these compounds as competing factors in reproductive issues. The study of sources of exposure suggested that the working activity in trade, as a casher in particular, represents a major one for BPA (p = 0.015).

Sex Differences between Urinary Phthalate Metabolites and Metabolic Syndrome in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Taiwan Biobank Study

“…ΣDBP and ΣDEHP have been shown to inhibit regular activity of T3 [ 38 ], which could affect weight gain because phthalates disrupt the thyroid hormone system. Another study found that females with infertility, recurrent miscarriages, and tubal factors of endocrine dysfunction had higher ∑DEHP concentrations [ 39 ]. The results of this study differ from those of previous studies, which indicated that in premenopausal women, the strongest association was with higher concentrations of MBzP [ 27 ].…”

Effects of Phthalate Mixtures on Ovarian Folliculogenesis and Steroidogenesis

“…Interestingly, women are more likely to be exposed to phthalates than men. This could be linked to the more frequent use of cosmetics and personal care products by women compared to men [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Exposure to phthalates and their metabolites can interfere with ovarian function by targeting both folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis.…”

A Novel Ex Vivo Approach Based on Proteomics and Biomarkers to Evaluate the Effects of Chrysene, MEHP, and PBDE-47 on Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta)

“…MEHP is known to cause metabolic disorders, endocrine disruption, and development and reproductive impairments in humans and other species [ 57 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 ]. DEHP is rapidly metabolized, both in invertebrates and vertebrates, in its primary metabolite, MEHP [ 91 ].…”