Urinary Bisphenol A Concentrations and Parameters of Ovarian Reserve among Women from a Fertility Clinic

Abstract

Background: Human exposure to environmentally widespread endocrine disruptors, especially bisphenol A (BPA), has been suggested to affect reproductive health. Animal studies indicate that BPA may play a role in the process of reproduction and impact on maturing oocytes, meiotic cell division or fertilization rate. Nevertheless, data regarding the effects of exposure to BPA on women’s ovarian function are still limited. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to assess the effects of environmental exposure to BPA on ovarian reserve. Methods: The study participants consisted of 511 women in reproductive age (25–39 years) who attended an infertility clinic for diagnosis, due to the couples’ infertility. BPA urinary concentrations were assessed by the validated gas chromatography ion-trap mass spectrometry method. The ovarian reserve was assessed using ovarian reserve parameters: Hormones concentrations: E2 (estradiol), FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone), and AFC (antral follicle count). Results: In the present study, the negative association between BPA urinary concentrations and AMH (p = 0.02) and AFC (p = 0.03) levels was found. Exposure to BPA was not related to other examined parameters of ovarian reserve (FSH, E2). Conclusions: Our results suggest that BPA exposure may affect women ovarian reserve parameters and reduce ovarian reserve. As this is one of the first studies of its kind, the findings need confirmation in a further investigation.

Bisphenol-A and Female Fertility: An Update of Existing Epidemiological Studies

“…The researchers also noted that BPA is negatively associated with anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and day-3 FSH, but no statistical significance was found [ 27 ]. Two recent studies confirmed the aforementioned data [ 47 , 50 ]. Czubacka et al, in particular, found a negative association of high BPA levels with AFC and AMH [ 47 ].…”

“…Two recent studies confirmed the aforementioned data [ 47 , 50 ]. Czubacka et al, in particular, found a negative association of high BPA levels with AFC and AMH [ 47 ]. Similarly, Lin et al reported a lower AFC count in the group with high BPA levels, although no statistical significance was reached [ 49 ].…”

“…Regarding the association between BPA and E2 levels during IVF, most studies report no association [ 23 , 35 , 41 , 47 ]. However, some studies reported a possible negative correlation between BPA levels and peak E2 [ 49 , 51 ], whereas one study, in 2015, reported a positive association between BPA and E2 levels [ 24 ].…”

“…The two-way estrogenic action of BPA could explain the diversity of our results, according to which one study found a positive correlation of BPA with E2 [ 24 ], while others reported an inverse correlation of BPA with E2 levels [ 38 , 46 , 49 , 51 ]. Nonetheless, most of the studies revealed no statistically significant correlation [ 23 , 35 , 41 , 47 ].…”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Endocrine Disruptors (Bisphenols, Parabens, and Triclosan)—A Systematic Review

“…In addition, there is some evidence that BPA affects epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and chromatin structure [ 30 ]. Some studies have revealed that elevated serum or urinary BPA levels were associated with anovulation, decreased number of antral follicle count (AFC) or lower level of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and consequently infertility [ 26 , 27 , 31 ]. Due to the constant exposure, BPA possesses a real hazard to human health and has thus been banned in baby bottles in the European Union in 2011; the tolerable daily intake of BPA is considered 0.05 mg/kg bodyweight per day [ 32 ].…”