Semen quality and sperm DNA damage in relation to urinary bisphenol A among men from an infertility clinic☆☆☆

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) impairs spermatogenesis in animals, but human studies are lacking. We measured urinary BPA concentrations, semen quality, and sperm DNA damage (comet assay) in 190 men recruited through an infertility clinic. BPA was detected in 89% of samples, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) concentration of 1.3 (0.8 -2.5) ng/mL. Urinary BPA concentration was associated with slightly elevated, though not statistically significant, odds for below reference sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. When modeled as continuous dependent variables, an IQR increase in urinary BPA concentration was associated with declines in sperm concentration, motility, and morphology of 23% (95%CI -40%, -0.3%), 7.5% (-17%, +1.5%), and 13% (-26%, -0.1%), respectively, along with a 10% (0.03%, 19%) increase in sperm DNA damage measured as the percentage of DNA in comet tail. In conclusion, urinary BPA may be associated with declined semen quality and increased sperm DNA damage, but confirmatory studies are needed.

Teasing out the role of aromatase in the healthy and diseased testis

“…49 The fact that aromatase has been immunolocalized to human efferent ductules, the site of luminal fluid re-absorption, and the proximal ductus epididymis, which aids in sperm motility acquisition, further supports this established link and suggests that spermatozoa themselves may be capable of regulating local estrogen concentrations via aromatase. 50 Moreover, clinical studies suggest that excess estrogens can also have detrimental effects on sperm quality parameters, including sperm concentration, motility and morphology, as evidenced by the exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogen-like chemical found in plastics 7 and other endocrine disruptors (reviewed in ref. 51).…”

“…However, when aromatase exceeds normal levels, as in the case of some patients with PJS, aromatase turns into a potent proliferative agent and aids in the development and progression of Sertoli cell tumors. Whether or not too much aromatase has an influence on fertility in PJS patients remains unknown, however given the recorded effects of exogenous estrogens on sperm parameters, 7,51 it is likely their fertilizing capacity would be compromised. Suffice to say, deciphering the specific roles of aromatase and estrogens and their underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms in the healthy testis, would be extremely valuable in advancing our understanding of how these mechanisms become compromised in the diseased testis, to ultimately reveal potential therapies for aromatase driven testicular disease.…”

“…More recently, exposure to environmental estrogens has been interlinked to poor semen quality and many male reproductive tract disorders including cryptorchidism, hypospadias and testicular cancer. [7][8][9] From this, many questions have arisen regarding the specific contribution of aromatase to testicular development and disease. Aromatase mRNA has been identified in all somatic cells, germ cells and spermatids within the testis and moreover spermatozoa in the epididymis across species (reviewed in ref.…”

Protective effect of Cordyceps militaris extract against bisphenol A induced reproductive damage

“…BPA can also induce free radical generation with oxidative stress, thereby reducing epididymal or testicular sperm counts, and increasing DNA damage and cell apoptosis. This has been considered an important factor in testicular structural damage and dysfunction [Anjum et al 2011;Korkmaz et al 2010;Li et al 2009;Meeker et al 2010].…”

Levels of Metabolites of Phthalates, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Bisphenol A in Urine of Czech Students (Pilot Study)

“…Prezentovaná studie je však pouze pilotní a její výsledky by měly být potvrzeny dalším sledováním. Při porovnání našich průměrných hodnot bisfenolu A s vybranými studiemi (25)(26)(27) byly zjištěny opět niž-ší koncentrace v této studii ve srovnání se zahraničními. Je však nutno zdůraznit, že prezentovaná studie zahrnovala poměrně malou a věkově úzce limitovanou skupinu mladých jedinců, u níž expoziční zdroje mohou být odlišné od jiných populačních skupin.…”