1
|
Kim MR, Jung MK, Jee HM, Ha EK, Lee S, Han MY, Yoo EG. The association between phthalate exposure and pubertal development. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:1675-1682. [PMID: 38206396 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05416-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Antiandrogenic effect of phthalates have been reported; however, results regarding the effect of phthalate exposure in pubertal children have been inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the relationship between phthalate exposure and pubertal development, especially whether high molecular weight phthalates (HMWP) and low molecular weight phthalates (LMWP) are differently associated in boys and girls. Urinary phthalate metabolites (4 HMWPs and 3 LMWPs) in Korean children (236 boys and 202 girls, aged 10 to 12 years) were measured. The association between phthalate levels and pubertal development (pubertal stages self-reported by parents and sex steroid levels) was analyzed by generalized linear regression after adjusting for age, body mass index z score, and premature birth and/or low birth weight. Both the highest quartile of HMWP (Q4 vs Q1, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.238; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.090-0.627; p = 0.004) and LMWP (Q4 vs Q1, adjusted OR, 0.373; 95% CI, 0.151-0.918; p = 0.032) were inversely associated with pubertal stages in boys, whereas the highest quartile of LMWP (Q4 vs Q1, adjusted OR, 2.431; 95% CI, 1.024-5.768; p = 0.044) was significantly related to advanced pubertal stages in girls. Testosterone levels in boys were significantly lower at the highest quartile of HMWP (adjusted β = - 0.251; 95% CI, - 0.476 to - 0.027; p = 0.028). However, in girls, we could not find any significant relationship between HMWP or LMWP and estradiol levels. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that phthalate exposure, especially exposure to the HMWP, may have inverse association with male pubertal development. Further investigation is required to verify the relationship of phthalate exposure and pubertal development in girls. WHAT IS KNOWN • Exposure to phthalates may have antiandrogenic effects. • Studies on the association between phthalates and pubertal development have yielded inconsistent results. WHAT IS NEW • Phthalate levels were inversely associated with self-reported pubertal stages in boys. • Exposure to phthalates might have a negative influence on male pubertal development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mi Ra Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, CHA Ilsan Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Mo Kyung Jung
- Department of Pediatrics, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Hye Mi Jee
- Department of Pediatrics, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Eun Kyo Ha
- Department of Pediatrics, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sanghoo Lee
- Center for Companion Biomarker, Seoul Clinical Laboratories Healthcare, Yongin, Korea
| | - Man Yong Han
- Department of Pediatrics, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
| | - Eun-Gyong Yoo
- Department of Pediatrics, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Beck AL, Rehfeld A, Mortensen LJ, Lorenzen M, Andersson AM, Juul A, Bentin-Ley U, Krog H, Frederiksen H, Petersen JH, Holmboe SA, Jensen MB. Ovarian follicular fluid levels of phthalates and benzophenones in relation to fertility outcomes. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108383. [PMID: 38109833 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), for instance phthalates and benzophenones, are associated with adverse fertility outcomes and semen quality parameters. OBJECTIVE To evaluate if concentrations of selected phthalate metabolites and benzophenones measured in follicular fluid are associated with fertility outcomes (i.e., reproductive hormones, antral follicle count, detected heartbeat at gestational week 7, and live birth) and, in a supplementary study, if measured concentrations of chemicals in follicular fluid can exert biological effects on human spermatozoa. METHODS Overall, 111 couples from a fertility clinic in Denmark contributed with 155 follicular fluid samples. Concentrations of 43 metabolites from 19 phthalates and phthalate substitutes and six benzophenones were measured in follicular fluid using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Multiple linear and logistic regression with an applied generalized estimating equation model allowing more than one measurement per woman assessed the association between follicular EDC levels and fertility outcomes. The assessment of biological effects of individual and mixtures of EDCs on human spermatozoa was conducted through a human sperm cell based Ca2+-fluorimetric assay. RESULTS Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and seven metabolites of five phthalates were detectable in follicular fluid. Women with metabolites of dibutyl phthalate isomers in the highest tertiles had lower antral follicle count (MiBP: β = -5.35 [95 % CI: -9.06; -2.00], MnBP: β = -5.25 [95 % CI: -9.00; -2.00]) and lower odds for detecting a heartbeat at gestational week 7 (MiBP: OR = 0.35 [95 % CI: 0.14; 0.91], MnBP: OR = 0.39 [95 % CI: 0.13; 1.15]). Mixtures of the measured concentrations of BP-3 and the seven phthalate metabolites induced a small significant increase in the intracellular calcium ion concentration in human spermatozoa from healthy donors (n = 3). DISCUSSION Phthalate metabolites and BP-3 were detectable in follicular fluid and high concentrations of some phthalate metabolites were linked with lower chance of successful fertility treatment outcomes. Chemical mixture concentrations in follicular fluid induced a calcium response in human spermatozoa highlighting possible biological effects at physiologically relevant concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Astrid L Beck
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anders Rehfeld
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Li J Mortensen
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Herlev-Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Mette Lorenzen
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Herlev-Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ursula Bentin-Ley
- Dansk Fertilitetsklinik, Seedorffs Vaenge 2, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Hans Krog
- Dansk Fertilitetsklinik, Seedorffs Vaenge 2, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jørgen H Petersen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Section of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stine A Holmboe
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Blomberg Jensen
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Herlev-Gentofte, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mukhametova LI, Karimova MR, Zharikova OG, Pirogov AV, Levkina VV, Chichkanova ES, Liu L, Xu C, Eremin SA. Detection of Dibutyl Phthalate in Surface Water by Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:1005. [PMID: 38131765 PMCID: PMC10741632 DOI: 10.3390/bios13121005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is widely used as a plasticizer in the production of polymeric materials to give them flexibility, strength and extensibility. However, due to its negative impact on human health, in particular reproductive functions and fetal development, the content of DBP must be controlled in food and the environment. The present study aims to develop a sensitive, fast and simple fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) using monoclonal antibodies derived against DBP (MAb-DBP) for its detection in open waters. New conjugates of DBP with various fluorescein derivatives were obtained and characterized: 5-aminomethylfluorescein (AMF) and dichlorotriazinylaminofluorescein (DTAF). The advantages of using the DBP-AMF conjugate in the FPIA method are shown, the kinetics of binding of this chemical with antibodies are studied, the analysis is optimized, and the concentration of monoclonal antibodies is selected for sensitivity analysis-16 nM. The calibration dependence of the fluorescence polarization signal for the detection of DBP was obtained. The observed IC50 (DBP concentration at which a 50% decrease in the fluorescence polarization signal occurs, 40 ng/mL) and the limit of detection (LOD, 7.5 ng/mL) values were improved by a factor of 45 over the previously described FPIA using polyclonal antibodies. This technique was tested by the recovery method, and the high percentage of DBP discovery in water ranged from 85 to 110%. Using the developed method, real water samples from Lake Onega were tested, and a good correlation was shown between the results of the determination of DBP by the FPIA method and GC-MS. Thus, the FPIA method developed in this work can be used to determine DBP in open-water reservoirs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liliya I. Mukhametova
- Faculty of Chemistry, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (L.I.M.); (O.G.Z.); (A.V.P.); (V.V.L.); (E.S.C.)
- A. N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskie Prospect 33, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Madina R. Karimova
- Faculty of Chemistry, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (L.I.M.); (O.G.Z.); (A.V.P.); (V.V.L.); (E.S.C.)
| | - Olga G. Zharikova
- Faculty of Chemistry, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (L.I.M.); (O.G.Z.); (A.V.P.); (V.V.L.); (E.S.C.)
| | - Andrey V. Pirogov
- Faculty of Chemistry, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (L.I.M.); (O.G.Z.); (A.V.P.); (V.V.L.); (E.S.C.)
| | - Valentina V. Levkina
- Faculty of Chemistry, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (L.I.M.); (O.G.Z.); (A.V.P.); (V.V.L.); (E.S.C.)
| | - Ekaterina S. Chichkanova
- Faculty of Chemistry, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (L.I.M.); (O.G.Z.); (A.V.P.); (V.V.L.); (E.S.C.)
| | - Liqiang Liu
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi 214122, China (C.X.)
| | - Chuanlai Xu
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi 214122, China (C.X.)
| | - Sergei A. Eremin
- Faculty of Chemistry, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (L.I.M.); (O.G.Z.); (A.V.P.); (V.V.L.); (E.S.C.)
- A. N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskie Prospect 33, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Burns JS, Bather JR, Sergeyev O, Lee MM, Korrick SA, Sokolov S, Kovalev S, Koch HM, Lebedev AT, Mínguez-Alarcón L, Hauser R, Williams PL. Longitudinal association of prepubertal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with pubertal progression among a cohort of boys. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 233:116330. [PMID: 37348639 PMCID: PMC10575624 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have reported associations of anti-androgenic phthalate metabolite concentrations with later onset of male puberty, but few have assessed associations with progression. OBJECTIVES We examined the association of prepubertal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with trajectories of pubertal progression among Russian boys. METHODS At enrollment (ages 8-9 years), medical history, dietary, and demographic information were collected. At entry and annually to age 19 years, physical examinations including testicular volume (TV) were performed and spot urines collected. Each boy's prepubertal urine samples were pooled, and 15 phthalate metabolites were quantified by isotope dilution LC-MS/MS at Moscow State University. Metabolites of anti-androgenic parent phthalates were included: butylbenzyl (BBzP), di-n-butyl (DnBP), diisobutyl (DiBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP) and diisononyl (DiNP) phthalates. We calculated the molar sums of DEHP, DiNP, and all AAP metabolites. We used group-based trajectory models (GBTMs) to identify subgroups of boys who followed similar pubertal trajectories from ages 8-19 years based on annual TV. We used multinomial and ordinal regression models to evaluate whether prepubertal log-transformed phthalate metabolite concentrations were associated with slower or faster pubertal progression trajectories, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS 304 boys contributed a total of 752 prepubertal urine samples (median 2, range: 1-6) for creation of individual pools. The median length of follow-up was 10.0 years; 79% of boys were followed beyond age 15. We identified three pubertal progression groups: slower (34%), moderate (43%), and faster (23%) progression. A standard deviation increase in urinary log-monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) concentrations was associated with higher adjusted odds of being in the slow versus faster pubertal progression trajectory (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.06-2.04). None of the other phthalate metabolites were associated with pubertal progression. CONCLUSIONS On average, boys with higher concentrations of prepubertal urinary MBzP had a slower tempo of pubertal progression, perhaps attributable to the disruption of androgen-dependent biological pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J S Burns
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - J R Bather
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 2, 4th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - O Sergeyev
- Group of Epigenetic Epidemiology, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskye Gory, House 1, Building 40, Room 322, 119992, Moscow, Russia
| | - M M Lee
- Nemours Children's Health/Sidney Kimmel Medical School, Jefferson University, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - S A Korrick
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, 3rd Floor West, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - S Sokolov
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russia
| | - S Kovalev
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russia
| | - H M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - A T Lebedev
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory 1/3, Russia
| | - L Mínguez-Alarcón
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, 3rd Floor West, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - R Hauser
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Kresge Building, 9th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - P L Williams
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 2, 4th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Kresge Building, 9th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Özel F, Stratmann M, Lindh C, Gennings C, Bornehag CG, Rüegg J. Prenatal exposure to phthalates and gender-specific play behavior at seven years of age in the SELMA study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108029. [PMID: 37331180 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of evidence shows that prenatal exposure to phthalates affects child development. Since many phthalates have been shown to alter endocrine signaling, they may influence reproductive development, neurodevelopment, and child behavior. Indeed, a few studies reported associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and gender-specific play behavior. However, evidence for this relationship is limited, and previous findings are based on single phthalates, while human exposure entails mixtures of chemicals. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the associations between prenatal exposure to single phthalates, as well as a phthalate mixture, and gender-specific play behavior. METHODS A total of 715 mother-child pairs from the Swedish Environmental Longitudinal, Mother and Child, Asthma and Allergy (SELMA) study were included. In the median week 10 of pregnancy, phthalate metabolites were measured in urine. Gender-specific play behavior was measured with Preschool Activities Inventory at the age of seven years. Linear and weighted quantile sum regressions were used; data was stratified by sex. Models were adjusted for child and maternal age, maternal education, parental attitudes toward play behavior, and urinary creatinine concentration. RESULTS For boys, single compound analyses revealed negative associations of prenatal exposure to di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) concentrations with masculine (β = -1.44; 95% CI = -2.72, -0.16) and composite (β = -1.43; 95% CI = -2.72, -0.13) scores. Suggestive associations were also observed with a mixture approach identifying DINP as the main contributor of the association of decreased masculine play. Among girls, higher urinary concentrations of 2,4-methyl-7-oxyooctyl-oxycarbonyl-cyclohexane carboxylic acid (MOiNCH) was associated with decreased feminine (β = -1.59; 95% CI = -2.62, -0.57) and masculine scores (β = -1.22; 95% CI = -2.14, -0.29), whereas the mixture analyses did not yield conclusive results for girls. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest associations of prenatal exposure to DINP with decreased masculine play behavior in boys while the results for girls were not fully conclusive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Özel
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Centre for Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan - Womher, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
| | - Marlene Stratmann
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Christian Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Chris Gennings
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden; Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Marah K, Fute A, Oubibi M, Sun B, Lyanga AA, Arthur Velo NM, Zafitsara J, Madasi JD. Parental abusiveness experienced in childhood and premarital sexual permissiveness during adolescence. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18101. [PMID: 37519719 PMCID: PMC10372648 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study compared the experiences of parental abusiveness in childhood and sexual permissiveness in adolescence between adolescents raised by dual parents and those raised by single parents. Method The sampling process involved obtaining the sample size (N = 1037) based on statistical power calculations and the resources available, resulting in representativeness. The sampling frame consisted of students from different backgrounds (single-parent and two-parent families). A stratified random sampling helped to enhance the reliability and validity of the findings while minimizing potential biases. An online survey was used to collect data from the sampled students. An independent sample t-test analysis was done by using SPSS software and PROCESS macro of the SPSS to test the hypotheses. Results A significant and positive correlation was found between parental abusiveness and sexual permissiveness. There was also a significant mean difference in parental abusiveness experience and sexual permissiveness between adolescents from different family types. In addition, the average sexual permissiveness for males was higher than that of female adolescents from the same type of families. Conclusion Childhood life significantly influences adolescents' characters throughout their entire life.
Collapse
|
7
|
Su PH, Huang JY, Wang SLJ, Chang HP. Phthalates exposure and pubertal development in a 15-year follow-up birth cohort study in Taiwan. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1065918. [PMID: 37288299 PMCID: PMC10242106 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1065918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Phthalates are ubiquitous endocrine disruptors that can affect pubertal development in children. The association of fetal and childhood levels of phthalates with pubertal development were explored. Methods We conduct a population-based birth cohort study to investigate the association between prenatal and childhood exposure to phthalates and pubertal development. Initially, a total of 445 children were recruited from 2000 to 2001, of which 90 children were followed for 15 years which measurements of urine and development assessed at 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14 years. We defined higher Tanner stage as the 14-year-old Tanner stage ≥ 4 and 5 for boys and girls, respectively. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratio of a higher Tanner stage at 14 years old. The Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression were used to estimate the association of testicular volume, uterine volume, ovarian volume, and blood hormones at 14 years of age with the log-transformed concentration of phthalates at 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14 years. Results In boys, a significantly different geometric mean of mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) was observed in 11-year-olds; 6.82 and 2.96 in the lower Tanner stage group and higher Tanner stage group. In girls, a significant difference in the geometric mean of mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) in 11-year-olds and mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) in 2-year-olds was observed; MEHHP was 32.97 and 18.13 in the lower Tanner stage group and higher Tanner stage group, and MEP was 26.54 and 65.74 in the lower Tanner stage group and higher Tanner stage group, respectively. Uterine volume at 14 years old was negatively associated with several phthalate metabolites (MEHP at 8 years old, MnBP at 8 years old, MBzP at 14 years old, MMP prenatally, MMP at 8 years old, and MEP at 8 years old) after adjusting for covariates. However, no significant correlations were found between phthalate metabolites and ovarian or testicular volume. Conclusion Phthalate exposure at certain time points may influence the reproductive development of children during puberty; however, further studies should be conducted to determine the causal nature of this association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pen-Hua Su
- Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Yang Huang
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Julie Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hua-Pin Chang
- Department of Nursing, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yang P, Deng LJ, Xie JY, Li XJ, Wang XN, Sun B, Meng TQ, Xiong CL, Huang YC, Wang YX, Pan A, Chen D, Yang Y. Phthalate exposure with sperm quality among healthy Chinese male adults: The role of sperm cellular function. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 331:121755. [PMID: 37142207 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Adverse male reproduction caused by phthalate ester (PAE) exposure has been well documented in vivo. However, existing evidence from population studies remains inadequate to demonstrate the impact of PAE exposure on spermatogenesis and underlying mechanisms. Our present study aimed to explore the potential link between PAE exposure and sperm quality and the possible mediation by sperm mitochondrial and telomere in healthy male adults recruited from the Hubei Province Human Sperm Bank, China. Nine PAEs were determined in one pooled urine sample prepared from multiple collections during the spermatogenesis period from the same participant. Sperm telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) were determined in sperm samples. The sperm concentration and count per quartile increment in mixture concentrations were -4.10 million/mL (-7.12, -1.08) and -13.52% (-21.62%, -4.59%), respectively. We found one quartile increase in PAE mixture concentrations to be marginally associated with sperm mtDNAcn (β = 0.09, 95% CI: -0.01, 0.19). Mediation analysis showed that sperm mtDNAcn significantly explained 24.6% and 32.5% of the relationships of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) with sperm concentration and sperm count (β = -0.44 million/mL, 95% CI: -0.82, -0.08; β = -1.35, 95% CI: -2.54, -0.26, respectively). Our study provided a novel insight into the mixed effect of PAEs on adverse semen quality and the potential mediation role of sperm mtDNAcn.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pan Yang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, PR China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, 230032, PR China
| | - Lang-Jing Deng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Jin-Ying Xie
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Xiao-Jie Li
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Xiao-Na Wang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Bin Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, PR China
| | - Tian-Qing Meng
- Hubei Province Human Sperm Bank, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, PR China
| | - Cheng-Liang Xiong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, PR China
| | - Yi-Chao Huang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, PR China
| | - Yi-Xin Wang
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - An Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, PR China
| | - Da Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Yan Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; Jieyang Branch of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Jieyang, 515200, Guangdong, PR China; Synergy Innovation Institute of GDUT, Shantou, 515041, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mínguez-Alarcón L, Williams PL, Souter I, Ford JB, Ghayda RA, Hauser R, Chavarro JE. Occupational factors and markers of testicular function among men attending a fertility center. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:529-536. [PMID: 36772979 PMCID: PMC10068265 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are occupational factors associated with markers of testicular function among men attending a fertility center? SUMMARY ANSWER Men working non-daytime/rotating shifts and those with physically demanding jobs have higher sperm concentration and total sperm count as well as higher estradiol and total testosterone concentrations. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Semen quality has declined during recent decades and has been negatively correlated with higher risks of common chronic diseases and mortality, highlighting its public health importance beyond fertility and reproduction. While most of the previous epidemiology literature on male fertility has focused on environmental exposures, dietary factors, and other related variables, little attention has been paid to occupational factors. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This observational study included 377 men who were male partners in couples seeking infertility treatment at a fertility center, who enrolled in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) study between 2005 and 2019. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Self-reported information on lifting/moving heavy objects, typical shift, and physical level of exertion at work was collected from a take-home questionnaire. Semen samples were analyzed following World Health Organization guidelines. Enzyme immunoassays were used to assess reproductive hormone concentrations. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between occupational factors and measures of testicular function, while adjusting for covariates such as age, BMI, education, race, smoking, and abstinence time, and accounting for multiple semen samples (mean = 2, min-max = 1-9) in analyses for semen parameters. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Men had a median (interquartile range) age of 36 (33, 39) years and were predominantly Caucasian (87%). Of the men who completed the survey, 12% reported often lifting or moving heavy objects at work, 6% reported heavy physical exertion at work, and 9% reported evening or rotating shifts. Men who reported often lifting or moving heavy objects at work had 46% higher sperm concentrations (P = 0.01) and 44% higher total counts (P = 0.01) compared with men who reported never lifting or moving heavy objects at work. Similar results were found for men working in rotating shifts compared to those in day shifts, as well as for men involved in heavy levels of physical exertion compared to those with light levels at work. We also found that men involved in heavy/moderate levels of physical exertion at work had higher circulating testosterone concentrations compared to those with lighter exertion (adjusted means of 515 and 427 ng/dl, respectively, P = 0.08), and men who often moved/lifted heavy objects at work had higher estradiol concentrations, compared to those who never did (adjusted means of 36.8 and 27.1 pg/ml, respectively, P = 0.07). Men working evening/rotating shifts had 24% higher testosterone (P = 0.04) and 45% higher estradiol concentrations (P = 0.01), compared to men working day shifts. No associations were observed for ejaculated volume, total motility, morphologically normal sperm, or serum FSH and LH concentrations. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Due to our study design which recruited men from couples seeking fertility treatment, it may not be possible to generalize our findings to men from the general population. Also, as is the case of all studies based on self-reported questionnaires, measurement error and misclassification of the exposure are potential concerns. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Physically demanding jobs and rotating or evening shift occupations may be associated with higher testicular function in men measured as higher sperm concentrations and counts as well as higher serum testosterone and estradiol levels. Confirmation of these findings in other non-fertility clinic study populations is warranted. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) NIH grants R01ES022955, R01ES009718, R01ES033651, and R01ES000002 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and Legacy, Inc. R.A.G. works part time for Legacy, Inc., which provided funds to perform this analysis. There are no other conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paige L Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Irene Souter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer B Ford
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ramy Abou Ghayda
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Urology Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jorge E Chavarro
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yang L, Zou J, Zang Z, Wang L, Du Z, Zhang D, Cai Y, Li M, Li Q, Gao J, Xu H, Fan X. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure impairs cortical development in hESC-derived cerebral organoids. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 865:161251. [PMID: 36587670 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a ubiquitous environmental endocrine disruptor, is widely used in consumer products. Increasing evidence implies that DEHP influences the early development of the human brain. However, it lacks a suitable model to evaluate the neurotoxicity of DEHP. Using an established human cerebral organoid model, which reproduces the morphogenesis of the human cerebral cortex at the early stage, we demonstrated that DEHP exposure markedly suppressed cell proliferation and increased apoptosis, thus impairing the morphogenesis of the human cerebral cortex. It showed that DEHP exposure disrupted neurogenesis and neural progenitor migration, confirmed by scratch assay and cell migration assay in vitro. These effects might result from DEHP-induced dysplasia of the radial glia cells (RGs), the fibers of which provide the scaffolds for cell migration. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of human cerebral organoids showed that DEHP-induced disorder in cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions might play a pivotal role in the neurogenesis of human cerebral organoids. The present study provides direct evidence of the neurodevelopmental toxicity of DEHP after prenatal exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 40038, China; Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China; Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China; Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jiao Zou
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 40038, China
| | - Zhenle Zang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 40038, China
| | - Liuyongwei Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 40038, China
| | - Zhulin Du
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 40038, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 40038, China
| | - Yun Cai
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 40038, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China; Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Qiyou Li
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China; Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Junwei Gao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 40038, China.
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China; Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 40038, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hua L, Guo S, Xu J, Yang X, Zhu H, Yao Y, Zhu L, Li Y, Zhang J, Sun H, Zhao H. Phthalates in dormitory dust and human urine: A study of exposure characteristics and risk assessments of university students. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 845:157251. [PMID: 35817099 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Phthalate diesters (PAEs) are prevalent and potentially toxic to human health. The university dormitory represents a typical and relatively uniform indoor environment. This study evaluated the concentrations of phthalate monoesters (mPAEs) in urine samples from 101 residents of university status, and the concentrations of PAEs in dust collected from 36 corresponding dormitories. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP, median: 68.0 μg/g) was the major PAE in dust, and mono-ethyl phthalate (47.9 %) was the most abundant mPAE in urine. The levels of both PAEs in dormitory dust and mPAEs in urine were higher in females than in males, indicating higher PAE exposure in females. Differences in lifestyles (dormitory time and plastic product use frequency) may also affect human exposure to PAEs. Moreover, there were significant positive correlations between the estimated daily intakes of PAEs calculated by using concentrations of PAEs in dust (EDID) and mPAEs in urine (EDIU), suggesting that PAEs in dust could be a significant source of human exposure to PAEs. The value of EDID/EDIU for low molecular weight PAEs (3-6 carbon atoms in their backbone) was lower than that of high molecular weight PAEs. The contribution rate of various pathways to PAE exposure illustrated that non-dietary ingestion (87.8 %) was the major pathway of human exposure to PAEs in dust. Approximately 4.95 % of university students' hazard quotients of DEHP were >1, indicating that there may be some health risks associated with DEHP exposure among PAEs. Furthermore, it is recommended that some measures be taken to reduce the production and application of DEHP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liting Hua
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Sai Guo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jiaping Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xiaomeng Yang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongkai Zhu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yongcheng Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jingran Zhang
- SCIEX, Analytical Instrument Trading Co., Ltd, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongzhi Zhao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Li D, Sun W, Jiang X, Yu Z, Xia Y, Cheng S, Mao L, Luo S, Tang S, Xu S, Zou Z, Chen C, Qiu J, Zhou L. Polystyrene nanoparticles enhance the adverse effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on male reproductive system in mice. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 245:114104. [PMID: 36174316 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Coexposure of nanoplastics (NPs) with other pollutants adsorbed from the surroundings has received extensive attention. Currently, the combined effects of NPs and plasticizers remain unclear. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a commonly used plasticizer that has raised much concern owing to its ubiquitous pollution and endocrine-disrupting potential. This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects on the male reproductive system upon coexposure to NPs and DEHP. The C57BL/6J mice were orally administrated with polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs), DEHP or both for 35 days to evaluate their effects on sperm quality, histology of testes and epididymides, testicular transcriptomic characteristics as well as expression of some important genes in the epididymides. The low-dose PSNPs used here did not induce significant changes in sperm quality, while DEHP alone or cotreatment with DEHP and PSNPs caused notable impairment, mainly manifesting as decreased sperm quality and aberrant structure of the testis and epididymis. Moreover, enhanced toxic effects were found in the cotreatment group when compared with the individual DEHP treatment group, as manifested by more obvious alterations in the sperm parameters as well as histological changes in the testis and epididymis. Testicular transcriptomic analysis revealed differential regulation of genes involved in immune response, cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor signaling pathways, protein ubiquitination, oxidative stress, necrotic cell death, ATP synthesis and the cellular respiratory chain. RT-qPCR verified that the expression patterns of Cenpb, Crisp1 and Mars were changed in testes, and genes relevant to epididymal function including Aqp9 and Octn2 were downregulated in epididymides, particularly in the cotreatment group. Collectively, our results emphasize that DEHP at an environmentally relevant dose can induce male reproductive toxicity, and PSNPs may aggravate the toxic effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejun Jiang
- Research Center for Environment and Human Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Center of Experimental Teaching for Public Health, Experimental Teaching and Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziying Yu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinyin Xia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Research Center for Environment and Human Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuqun Cheng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Research Center for Environment and Human Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Lejiao Mao
- Molecular Biology Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiyue Luo
- Department of Health Laboratory Technology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Shixin Tang
- Department of Health Laboratory Technology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Shangcheng Xu
- Center of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Chongqing 400060, People's Republic of China; Chongqing Key lab of Prevention and Treatment for Occupational Diseases and Poisoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Zou
- Research Center for Environment and Human Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Molecular Biology Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengzhi Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Research Center for Environment and Human Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jingfu Qiu
- Research Center for Environment and Human Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Department of Health Laboratory Technology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lixiao Zhou
- Research Center for Environment and Human Health, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Department of Health Laboratory Technology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|