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Ermler S, Kortenkamp A. Systematic review of associations of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure with declining semen quality in support of the derivation of reference doses for mixture risk assessments. Environ Health 2022; 21:94. [PMID: 36217156 PMCID: PMC9552438 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00904-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mixture risk assessments require reference doses for common health endpoints of all the chemicals to be considered together. In support of a mixture risk assessment for male reproductive health, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on associations between exposures to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and declines in semen quality. PCBs can act as Aryl-hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR)-agonists and Androgen Receptor (AR)-antagonists, both mechanisms which can affect sperm parameters. PCBs and other AR-antagonists can produce additive combination effects. Based on these observations our objective was to systematically gather data from animal and human studies to derive a reference dose for declines in semen quality for individual PCB. METHODS We systematically reviewed and evaluated the evidence in human epidemiological and experimental animal studies on associations between PCBs and deteriorations in semen quality. Human data and findings from animal studies with PCB mixtures were considered as supporting evidence. Information for individual congeners from animal studies was required for inclusion in mixture risk assessment. Using a robust confidence rating approach, we identified suitable studies to derive reference doses for individual PCB congeners. RESULTS Evaluation of human epidemiological studies revealed several reports of adverse effects on sperm parameters linked to PCB exposures, although some studies reported improved semen quality. Our review of experimental animal studies found that treatments with PCBs affected semen quality, in most cases adversely. We found robust evidence that PCB-118 and -169 were linked to declines in semen quality. Evidence for adverse effects of PCB-126, -132, -149, and -153 was moderate, whereas for PCB-77 it was slight and for PCB-180 indeterminate. Using widely accepted risk assessment procedures, we estimated reference dose values of 0.0029 µg/kg/day for PCB-118 and 0.00533 µg/kg/day for PCB-169. In addition, we derived values for PCB-126: 0.000073 µg/kg/day, PCB-132: 0.0228 µg/kg/day, PCB-149: 0.656 µg/kg/day, and PCB-153: 0.0058 µg/kg/day. CONCLUSIONS We found robust evidence for links between PCB exposure and deteriorations in semen quality, and derived reference doses for a set of congeners. We intend to use these values in combination with congener-specific exposure data in a mixture risk assessment for declines in semen quality, involving several other antiandrogenic chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibylle Ermler
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK.
| | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK
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Carlo G, Valentina M, Daniele C, Simone S, Edlira S, Giancarlo B, Benedetto GA. The environmental and occupational influence of pesticides on male fertility: a systematic review of human studies. Andrology 2022; 10:1250-1271. [PMID: 35793270 PMCID: PMC9541307 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environment plays a key role in male infertility, changing the incidence in various populations, and pesticides are one of the most studied hazards. The use of the latter has never decreased, jeopardizing the safety of workers and the general population. OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to summarize the results of studies discussing the association between pesticides and male fertility. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was performed through MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Only human studies were considered. Semen parameters, and DNA integrity were considered to evaluate the effect of pesticides on men. RESULTS A total of 64 studies that investigated their impact in terms of semen parameters (51 studies), chromatin and DNA integrity (25 studies), were included. The most frequently affected parameters were total sperm count sperm motility and morphology, although a reduction in ejaculate volume and concentration occur in several cases. A tangible worsening of semen quality was associated with organochlorines and organophosphates. Furthermore, pesticide exposure, especially pyrethroids, was related to a higher DNA fragmentation index and chromosome aneuploidy in most articles. CONCLUSION The epidemiological evidence supports the association between pesticides and male fertility for workers and the exposed population in terms of semen quality, DNA fragmentation and chromosome aneuploidy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulioni Carlo
- "Polytechnic University of Marche Region", Department of Urology, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maurizi Valentina
- "Polytechnic University of Marche Region, Ospedali Riuniti" University Hospital, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Ancona, Italy
| | - Castellani Daniele
- "Ospedali Riuniti" University Hospital, Department of Urology, Ancona, Italy
| | - Scarcella Simone
- "Polytechnic University of Marche Region", Department of Urology, Ancona, Italy
| | - Skrami Edlira
- "Polytechnic University of Marche Region", Centre of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ancona, Italy
| | - Balercia Giancarlo
- "Ospedali Riuniti" University Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Ancona, Italy
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Osadchuk L, Tipisova E, Kleshchev M, Gorenko I, Osadchuk A. Study of Semen Quality, Reproductive Hormone Levels, and Lipid Levels in Men From Arkhangelsk, a City in North of European Russia. Am J Mens Health 2021; 14:1557988320939714. [PMID: 32812503 PMCID: PMC7444128 DOI: 10.1177/1557988320939714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Male populations in the European North of Russia have not previously been investigated for semen quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate semen parameters, reproductive hormone levels, and lipid levels in volunteers from the general urban population of the European North of Russia, to compare the data published for men from the neighboring Northern or Eastern European countries, and to evaluate associations between sperm quality and serum hormonal and lipid levels. Ninety-nine volunteers aged 23-63 years residing in the city of Archangelsk were enrolled in the study. All men had blood samples drawn and completed a questionnaire concerning their health status and lifestyle; 90 men delivered semen samples. The medians for semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, and normal morphology were 3.0 ml, 42.12 million/ml, 43.8%, and 6.5%, respectively. Sperm parameters below normal threshold values were found in 38.9% of participants. It seems that the sperm quality in our study group was slightly worse than in men from Finland, Norway, Sweden, or Estonia, but very similar to that in men from Denmark or Poland. The significant negative correlations of luteinizing hormone levels and positive correlations of inhibin B levels with sperm concentration and progressive motility were revealed. Higher levels of luteinizing hormone and lower levels of inhibin B were found in participants with impaired compared to normal sperm quality. No reliable links were found between serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and semen parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila Osadchuk
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Federal Research Center 'Institute of Cytology and Genetics', the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia Federation
| | - Elena Tipisova
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research, Arkhangelsk, Russia Federation
| | - Maxim Kleshchev
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Federal Research Center 'Institute of Cytology and Genetics', the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia Federation
| | - Irina Gorenko
- Laboratory of Endocrinology, N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research, Arkhangelsk, Russia Federation
| | - Alexander Osadchuk
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Federal Research Center 'Institute of Cytology and Genetics', the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia Federation
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Fucic A, Duca RC, Galea KS, Maric T, Garcia K, Bloom MS, Andersen HR, Vena JE. Reproductive Health Risks Associated with Occupational and Environmental Exposure to Pesticides. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18126576. [PMID: 34207279 PMCID: PMC8296378 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A marked reduction in fertility and an increase in adverse reproductive outcomes during the last few decades have been associated with occupational and environmental chemical exposures. Exposure to different types of pesticides may increase the risks of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease, but also of reduced fertility and birth defects. Both occupational and environmental exposures to pesticides are important, as many are endocrine disruptors, which means that even very low-dose exposure levels may have measurable biological effects. The aim of this review was to summarize the knowledge collected between 2000 and 2020, to highlight new findings, and to further interpret the mechanisms that may associate pesticides with infertility, abnormal sexual maturation, and pregnancy complications associated with occupational, environmental and transplacental exposures. A summary of current pesticide production and usage legislation is also included in order to elucidate the potential impact on exposure profile differences between countries, which may inform prevention measures. Recommendations for the medical surveillance of occupationally exposed populations, which should be facilitated by the biomonitoring of reduced fertility, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Fucic
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-15682500; Fax: +3814673303
| | - Radu C. Duca
- Unit Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Department of Health Protection, National Health Laboratory, L-3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg;
- Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karen S. Galea
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK;
| | - Tihana Maric
- Medical School, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Kelly Garcia
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA; (K.G.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Michael S. Bloom
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA; (K.G.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Helle R. Andersen
- Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark;
| | - John E. Vena
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
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Lambertino A, Persky V, Freels S, Anderson H, Unterman T, Awadalla S, Turyk M. Associations of PCBS, dioxins and furans with follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in postmenopausal women: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 262:128309. [PMID: 33182091 PMCID: PMC7670081 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The general population is exposed to the group of endocrine disrupting chemicals persistent organic pollutants (POPs), that includes polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). OBJECTIVES The aim of this research was to evaluate the associations of serum levels of PCB, PCDD, and PCDF congeners with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in postmenopausal women not taking exogenous hormones. We hypothesized that associations of POPs with these gonadotropins could be modified by factors affecting endogenous hormones. METHODS Cross-sectional analyses were conducted on data from 89 postmenopausal women using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). POPs were summarized based on classification schemes thought to reflect toxicological properties. Associations of POPs and gonadotropin hormones were modeled with multivariable regression models. When evidence of interaction was found, conditional effects were estimated. RESULTS We found inverse associations of LH, but not FSH, with exposure to anti-estrogenic and/or dioxin-like POPs, but not with non dioxin-like PCBs. A doubling of dioxin-like toxic equivalents (TEQs) was associated with a decrease in LH of 11.9% (95% CI = -21.3%, -1.4%, p = 0.03). Inverse associations were enhanced by potential effect modifiers related to both direct and indirect estrogenicity, including obesity and the obesity-related condition inflammation. CONCLUSIONS These investigations support a pattern of endocrine-disrupting effects by dioxin-like POPs among postmenopausal women, especially those with conditions related to peripheral estrogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anissa Lambertino
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Victoria Persky
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sally Freels
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Henry Anderson
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Population Health Sciences, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Terry Unterman
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Saria Awadalla
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mary Turyk
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Madrigal JM, Sargis RM, Persky V, Turyk ME. Multiple organochlorine pesticide exposures and measures of sex steroid hormones in adult males: Cross-sectional findings from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 231:113609. [PMID: 33002787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Organochlorine pesticides are detectable in serum from most adults. Animal studies provide evidence of pesticide effects on sex hormones, suggesting that exposures may impact human reproductive function. Mounting evidence of sex differences in chronic diseases suggest that perturbations in endogenous sex hormones may influence disease risk. However, the association between organochlorine pesticide exposure and sex hormone levels in males across the lifespan is not well understood. METHODS We evaluated cross-sectional associations of lipid-adjusted serum concentrations of β-hexachlorocyclohexane, hexachlorobenzene, heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), trans-nonachlor, and mirex in relation to sex steroid hormone levels [testosterone (ng/dL), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG; nmol/L), estradiol (pg/mL), and androstanediol glucuronide (ng/dL)] in a sample of 748 males aged 20 years and older from the 1999-2004 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Survey-weighted linear regression models were performed to estimate geometric means (GM) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for quartiles of lipid-adjusted pesticide concentrations, adjusting for age, race, body mass index, serum lipids, smoking, education, and survey cycle. RESULTS Hexachlorobenzene concentration was positively associated with total estradiol (GM Q4 = 43.2 pg/mL (95% CI 36.5-51.1) vs. Q1 GM = 25.6 pg/mL (24.1-27.3), p-trend <0.0001) and free estradiol (GM Q4 = 0.77 pg/mL (95% CI 0.64-0.93) vs. Q1 GM = 0.47 pg/mL (0.44-0.51), p-trend = 0.002). Serum DDT concentration was positively associated with total estradiol (GM Q4 = 31.6 pg/mL (95% CI 25.9-38.5) vs. Q1 GM = 27.3 pg/mL (25.9-28.7), p-trend = 0.05) and free estradiol (GM Q4 = 0.60 pg/mL (95% CI 0.48-0.76) vs. Q1 GM = 0.50 pg/mL (0.47-0.53), p-trend 0.02). There was a suggestive inverse association of DDT and SHBG (GM Q4 = 29.2 nmol/L (95% CI 23.8-35.9) vs. Q1 GM = 33.9 nmol/L (32.3-35.5), p-trend 0.07). A positive association of β-hexachlorocyclohexane with total estradiol (GM Q4 = 30.3 pg/mL (95% CI 26.5-34.6) vs. Q1 GM = 26.7 pg/mL (24.5-29.0), p-trend = 0.09) was also suggestive but did not reach statistical significance. No distinct associations were observed for other hormone levels or other organochlorine pesticides. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that select organochlorine pesticides may alter male estradiol levels. The positive associations with estradiol may implicate sex hormones as a possible mechanism for disease risk among those with organochlorine pesticide exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Madrigal
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.
| | - Robert M Sargis
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - Victoria Persky
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - Mary E Turyk
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
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Jansen A, Berg JP, Klungsøyr O, Müller MHB, Lyche JL, Aaseth JO. The Influence of Persistent Organic Pollutants on Thyroidal, Reproductive and Adrenal Hormones After Bariatric Surgery. Obes Surg 2019; 30:1368-1378. [DOI: 10.1007/s11695-019-04273-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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8
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In vitro effects of single and binary mixtures of regulated mycotoxins and persistent organochloride pesticides on steroid hormone production in MA-10 Leydig cell line. Toxicol In Vitro 2019; 60:272-280. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Chung MK, Buck Louis GM, Kannan K, Patel CJ. Exposome-wide association study of semen quality: Systematic discovery of endocrine disrupting chemical biomarkers in fertility require large sample sizes. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 125:505-514. [PMID: 30583854 PMCID: PMC6400484 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Exposome-wide association studies (EWAS) are a systematic and unbiased way to investigate multiple environmental factors associated with phenotype. We applied EWAS to study semen quality and queried the sample size requirements to detect modest associations in a reproductive cohort. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted 1) a multivariate EWAS of 128 endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from 15 chemical classes measured in urine/serum relative to 7 semen quality endpoints in a prospective cohort study comprising 473 men and 2) estimated the sample size requirements for EWAS etiologic investigations. RESULTS None of the EDCs were associated with semen quality endpoints after adjusting for multiple tests. However, several EDCs (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyl congeners 99, 105, 114, and 167) were associated with raw p < 0.05. In a post hoc statistical power analysis with the observed effect sizes, we determined that EWAS research in male fertility will require a mean sample size of 2696 men (1795-3625) to attain a power of 0.8. The average size of four published studies is 201 men. CONCLUSION Existing cohort studies with hundreds of participants are underpowered (<0.8) for EWAS-related investigations. Merging cohorts to ensure a sufficient sample size can facilitate the use of EWAS methods for assessing EDC mixtures that impact semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kei Chung
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, 10 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Germaine M Buck Louis
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6710B Rockledge Drive, Room 3148, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States of America; Dean's Office, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States of America.
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The University at Albany, Albany, NY 12201, United States of America.
| | - Chirag J Patel
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, 10 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America.
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Reproductive Function in a Population of Young Faroese Men with Elevated Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Perfluorinated Alkylate Substances (PFAS). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15091880. [PMID: 30200252 PMCID: PMC6165232 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15091880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Semen quality may be adversely affected by exposure to environmental chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and perfluorinated alkylate substances (PFASs) that are persistent and may act as endocrine disrupting compounds. The aim of this study was to explore whether PCBs or PFASs exposure were associated with abnormalities in semen quality or reproductive hormones in Faroese men. This population based cross-sectional study includes 263 Faroese men (24⁻26 years) who delivered a semen sample for assessment of sperm concentration, total sperm count, semen volume, morphology and motility. A blood sample was drawn and analyzed for reproductive hormones, PCBs and PFASs. Exposure to ∑PCBs and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was positively associated with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and luteinizing hormone (LH). In addition, total testosterone (T) was positively associated with ∑PCB. Both PCBs and PFOS appear to lead to increased SHBG, perhaps mediated via the liver. The higher total T associated with PCB may represent a compensatory adaption to elevated SHBG levels to maintain an unchanged free testosterone concentration. The positive association to LH for both PCBs and PFOS may indicate a direct adverse effect on the testosterone producing Leydig cells.
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Bornman M, Delport R, Farías P, Aneck-Hahn N, Patrick S, Millar RP, de Jager C. Alterations in male reproductive hormones in relation to environmental DDT exposure. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 113:281-289. [PMID: 29373146 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
DDT [1, 1, 1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethane] compounds are used for indoor residual spraying (IRS) to control malaria mosquitoes. DDT is an endocrine disruptor chemical in experimental conditions, but little is known of adverse effects related to living conditions with continual uptake across a time span by all possible means of exposure. Based on estrogenic and/or anti-androgenic effects found in animal studies, we hypothesized that chronic DDT/DDE exposures in men may be associated with changes in male reproductive hormones. We tested this hypothesis by compared the magnitude and direction of associations between DDT and DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene) concentrations and male reproductive hormones in samples collected from IRS and non-IRS areas. We sampled a cross-section of 535 men (aged 18-40 years). Men living in IRS villages had significantly higher DDT and DDE concentrations compared with men from non-IRS villages. Men with DDT or DDE uptake (as reflected in detectable plasma concentrations) had significantly higher total-, free and bio-available testosterone (T), and lower follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations; lower luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were only evident with DDT uptake. To establish a dose-dependent effect, four sub-categories were defined. Men with the highest DDT (74-519 μg/g) and DDE (173-997 μg/g) concentrations had significantly higher total-, free and bio-available T, and lower FSH concentrations compared with subjects with non-detectable isomer concentrations. Estradiol concentrations were significantly higher in men with DDT and DDE concentrations in both the third (DDE: 27-172 μg/g; DDT: 5-73 μg/g) and fourth (DDE: 173-997 μg/g; DDT: 74-519 μg/g) categories. Men from IRS villages were significantly more likely to have higher total and bioavailable T as well as higher estradiol concentrations OR = 2.5 (95% CI 1.2, 3.2); OR 2.5 (95% CI 1.6, 4.0) and OR = 2.3 (95% CI 1.3, 4.1) compared to men from non-IRS villages, after controlling for age, BMI, personal use of pesticides, and smoking. Men living in IRS villages with life-long exposure (17.6 (±6) years) at the current residence with multiple exposure modalities incurred the highest degree of physiological imbalance over and above circulating isomer concentrations. Further studies are needed to elucidate the health implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bornman
- School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH), University of Pretoria, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC) and MRC Collaborating Centre for Malaria Research, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Hormone Dependent Cancer Consortium, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Rhena Delport
- Department of Chemical Pathology and UP ISMC, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Natalie Aneck-Hahn
- Department of Urology, SHSPH and UP ISMC, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sean Patrick
- School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH), University of Pretoria, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC) and MRC Collaborating Centre for Malaria Research, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Robert P Millar
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Institute for Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom; Hormone Dependent Cancer Consortium, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Christiaan de Jager
- School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH), University of Pretoria, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC) and MRC Collaborating Centre for Malaria Research, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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12
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Khezri A, Lindeman B, Krogenæs AK, Berntsen HF, Zimmer KE, Ropstad E. Maternal exposure to a mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) affects testis histology, epididymal sperm count and induces sperm DNA fragmentation in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017. [PMID: 28645691 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are widespread throughout the environment and some are suspected to induce reproductive toxicity. As animals and humans are exposed to complex mixtures of POPs, it is reasonable to assess how such mixtures could interact with the reproductive system. Our aim is to investigate how maternal exposure to a mixture of 29 different persistent organic pollutants, formulated to mimic the relative POP levels in the food basket of the Scandinavian population, could alter reproductive endpoints. Female mice were exposed via feed from weaning, during pregnancy and lactation in 3 exposure groups (control (C), low (L) and high (H)). Testicular morphometric endpoints, epididymal sperm concentration and sperm DNA integrity were assessed in adult male offspring. We found that the number of tubules, proportion of tubule compartments and epididymal sperm concentration significantly decreased in both POP exposed groups. Epididymal sperm from both POP exposed groups showed increased DNA fragmentation. It is concluded that maternal exposure to a defined POP mixture relevant to human exposure can affect testicular development, sperm production and sperm chromatin integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolrahman Khezri
- Department of Basic Science and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Science, Pb. 8146 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Birgitte Lindeman
- Department of Toxicology and Risk, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Pb 4404, 0403 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Anette K Krogenæs
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Science, Pb. 8146 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Hanne F Berntsen
- Norwegian National Institute of Occupational Health, Pb. 8149 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Karin E Zimmer
- Department of Basic Science and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Science, Pb. 8146 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Erik Ropstad
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Science, Pb. 8146 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Norway.
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13
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Weihe P, Debes F, Halling J, Petersen MS, Muckle G, Odland JØ, Dudarev A, Ayotte P, Dewailly É, Grandjean P, Bonefeld-Jørgensen E. Health effects associated with measured levels of contaminants in the Arctic. Int J Circumpolar Health 2016; 75:33805. [PMID: 27974137 PMCID: PMC5156856 DOI: 10.3402/ijch.v75.33805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The Human Health Assessment Group has over the past decade recommended that effect studies be conducted in the circumpolar area. Such studies examine the association between contaminant exposure in the Arctic populations and health effects. Because foetuses and young children are the most vulnerable, effect studies are often prospective child cohort studies. The emphasis in this article is on a description of the effects associated with contaminant exposure in the Arctic. The main topics addressed are neurobehavioural, immunological, reproductive, cardiovascular, endocrine and carcinogenic effect. For each topic, the association between exposure and effects is described, and some results are reported for similar studies outside the Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pál Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Torshavn, Faroe Islands;
| | - Fróði Debes
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Jónrit Halling
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Maria Skaalum Petersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Gina Muckle
- École de psychologie, Université Laval and Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Québec, City, QC, Canada
| | - Jon Øyvind Odland
- Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Alexey Dudarev
- Northwest Public Health Research Center, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | | | | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Univerisity of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Eva Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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14
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Gabrielsen JS, Tanrikut C. Chronic exposures and male fertility: the impacts of environment, diet, and drug use on spermatogenesis. Andrology 2016; 4:648-61. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J. S. Gabrielsen
- Department of Urology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA USA
| | - C. Tanrikut
- Department of Urology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston MA USA
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15
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Gore AC, Chappell VA, Fenton SE, Flaws JA, Nadal A, Prins GS, Toppari J, Zoeller RT. EDC-2: The Endocrine Society's Second Scientific Statement on Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals. Endocr Rev 2015; 36:E1-E150. [PMID: 26544531 PMCID: PMC4702494 DOI: 10.1210/er.2015-1010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1292] [Impact Index Per Article: 143.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The Endocrine Society's first Scientific Statement in 2009 provided a wake-up call to the scientific community about how environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) affect health and disease. Five years later, a substantially larger body of literature has solidified our understanding of plausible mechanisms underlying EDC actions and how exposures in animals and humans-especially during development-may lay the foundations for disease later in life. At this point in history, we have much stronger knowledge about how EDCs alter gene-environment interactions via physiological, cellular, molecular, and epigenetic changes, thereby producing effects in exposed individuals as well as their descendants. Causal links between exposure and manifestation of disease are substantiated by experimental animal models and are consistent with correlative epidemiological data in humans. There are several caveats because differences in how experimental animal work is conducted can lead to difficulties in drawing broad conclusions, and we must continue to be cautious about inferring causality in humans. In this second Scientific Statement, we reviewed the literature on a subset of topics for which the translational evidence is strongest: 1) obesity and diabetes; 2) female reproduction; 3) male reproduction; 4) hormone-sensitive cancers in females; 5) prostate; 6) thyroid; and 7) neurodevelopment and neuroendocrine systems. Our inclusion criteria for studies were those conducted predominantly in the past 5 years deemed to be of high quality based on appropriate negative and positive control groups or populations, adequate sample size and experimental design, and mammalian animal studies with exposure levels in a range that was relevant to humans. We also focused on studies using the developmental origins of health and disease model. No report was excluded based on a positive or negative effect of the EDC exposure. The bulk of the results across the board strengthen the evidence for endocrine health-related actions of EDCs. Based on this much more complete understanding of the endocrine principles by which EDCs act, including nonmonotonic dose-responses, low-dose effects, and developmental vulnerability, these findings can be much better translated to human health. Armed with this information, researchers, physicians, and other healthcare providers can guide regulators and policymakers as they make responsible decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Gore
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.G.), College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78734; Division of the National Toxicology Program (V.A.C., S.E.F.), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709; Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.A.F.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Institute of Bioengineering and CIBERDEM (A.N.), Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain; Departments of Urology, Pathology, and Physiology & Biophysics (G.S.P.), College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612; Departments of Physiology and Pediatrics (J.T.), University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; and Biology Department (R.T.Z.), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - V A Chappell
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.G.), College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78734; Division of the National Toxicology Program (V.A.C., S.E.F.), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709; Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.A.F.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Institute of Bioengineering and CIBERDEM (A.N.), Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain; Departments of Urology, Pathology, and Physiology & Biophysics (G.S.P.), College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612; Departments of Physiology and Pediatrics (J.T.), University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; and Biology Department (R.T.Z.), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - S E Fenton
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.G.), College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78734; Division of the National Toxicology Program (V.A.C., S.E.F.), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709; Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.A.F.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Institute of Bioengineering and CIBERDEM (A.N.), Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain; Departments of Urology, Pathology, and Physiology & Biophysics (G.S.P.), College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612; Departments of Physiology and Pediatrics (J.T.), University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; and Biology Department (R.T.Z.), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - J A Flaws
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.G.), College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78734; Division of the National Toxicology Program (V.A.C., S.E.F.), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709; Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.A.F.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Institute of Bioengineering and CIBERDEM (A.N.), Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain; Departments of Urology, Pathology, and Physiology & Biophysics (G.S.P.), College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612; Departments of Physiology and Pediatrics (J.T.), University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; and Biology Department (R.T.Z.), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - A Nadal
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.G.), College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78734; Division of the National Toxicology Program (V.A.C., S.E.F.), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709; Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.A.F.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Institute of Bioengineering and CIBERDEM (A.N.), Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain; Departments of Urology, Pathology, and Physiology & Biophysics (G.S.P.), College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612; Departments of Physiology and Pediatrics (J.T.), University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; and Biology Department (R.T.Z.), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - G S Prins
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.G.), College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78734; Division of the National Toxicology Program (V.A.C., S.E.F.), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709; Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.A.F.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Institute of Bioengineering and CIBERDEM (A.N.), Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain; Departments of Urology, Pathology, and Physiology & Biophysics (G.S.P.), College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612; Departments of Physiology and Pediatrics (J.T.), University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; and Biology Department (R.T.Z.), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - J Toppari
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.G.), College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78734; Division of the National Toxicology Program (V.A.C., S.E.F.), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709; Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.A.F.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Institute of Bioengineering and CIBERDEM (A.N.), Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain; Departments of Urology, Pathology, and Physiology & Biophysics (G.S.P.), College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612; Departments of Physiology and Pediatrics (J.T.), University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; and Biology Department (R.T.Z.), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - R T Zoeller
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.G.), College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78734; Division of the National Toxicology Program (V.A.C., S.E.F.), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709; Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.A.F.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802; Institute of Bioengineering and CIBERDEM (A.N.), Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain; Departments of Urology, Pathology, and Physiology & Biophysics (G.S.P.), College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612; Departments of Physiology and Pediatrics (J.T.), University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; and Biology Department (R.T.Z.), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
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16
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Mumford SL, Kim S, Chen Z, Gore-Langton RE, Boyd Barr D, Buck Louis GM. Persistent organic pollutants and semen quality: The LIFE Study. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 135:427-35. [PMID: 25441930 PMCID: PMC4447619 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Revised: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that persistent environmental chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls may adversely affect human fecundity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate associations between persistent environmental chemicals and semen quality among 501 male partners of couples discontinuing contraception for purposes of becoming pregnant. Men provided a blood specimen and two fresh semen samples collected approximately a month apart that underwent next day analysis for 35 semen quality endpoints. Serum samples were analyzed for 36 polychlorinated biphenyls (congeners #18, 28, 44, 49, 52, 66, 74, 87, 99, 101, 114, 118, 128, 138, 146, 149, 151, 153, 156, 157, 167, 170, 172, 177, 178, 180, 183, 187, 189, 194, 195, 196, 201, 206, 209); 1 polybrominated biphenyl (#153); 9 organochlorine pesticides; and 10 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (congeners #17, 28, 47, 66, 85, 99, 100, 153, 154183) using high resolution mass spectrometry. To estimate the effect of chemicals on semen quality, we regressed each semen marker on each chemical while adjusting for research site, age, body mass index, serum lipids, and cotinine levels. Males with chemical concentrations in the fourth quartile, as compared to the first quartile, showed significant associations for several individual chemicals in each chemical class and type of semen quality parameter indicating negative and positive associations with semen quality. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in particular were associated with several measures of increased abnormal morphology. These exploratory results highlight the role of environmental influences on male fecundity, and are of particular interest given the ubiquitous exposures to these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunni L Mumford
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd, 7B03, Rockville, MD 20852, United States.
| | - Sungduk Kim
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd, 7B03, Rockville, MD 20852, United States.
| | - Zhen Chen
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd, 7B03, Rockville, MD 20852, United States.
| | | | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.
| | - Germaine M Buck Louis
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd, 7B03, Rockville, MD 20852, United States.
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17
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Petersen MS, Halling J, Weihe P, Jensen TK, Grandjean P, Nielsen F, Jørgensen N. Spermatogenic capacity in fertile men with elevated exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 138:345-51. [PMID: 25766940 PMCID: PMC4394374 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Revised: 02/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocrine disrupting industrial chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are suspected to adversely affect male reproductive functions. OBJECTIVES The Faroe Islands community exhibits an unusually wide range of exposures to dietary contaminants, and in this setting we examined the possible association between PCB exposure and semen quality and reproductive hormones in fertile Faroese men. METHODS Participants in this cross-sectional study include 266 proven fertile men residing in the Faroe Islands. PCB levels and hormone profiles were measured in serum samples taken at the clinical examination that included semen quality parameters. RESULTS A significant positive association was seen between serum-PCB and the testosterone/estradiol ratio (p=0.04). In the unadjusted analyses, elevated PCB exposure was associated with increased serum concentrations of SHBG (p=0.01) and FSH (p=0.05). We found no association between the serum PCB concentration and the semen quality variables. CONCLUSION In this population of highly exposed fertile men, the current serum-PCB concentration was associated with higher androgen/estrogen ratio. Further studies are needed to establish the findings and further document PCB-associated hormonal effects, any time windows of increased susceptibility, and the role of PCB in sub-fecundity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Petersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
| | - J Halling
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - P Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - T K Jensen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Rigshospitalet, University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - P Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - F Nielsen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - N Jørgensen
- Rigshospitalet, University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen, Denmark
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18
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Croes K, Den Hond E, Bruckers L, Loots I, Morrens B, Nelen V, Colles A, Schoeters G, Sioen I, Covaci A, Vandermarken T, Van Larebeke N, Baeyens W. Monitoring chlorinated persistent organic pollutants in adolescents in Flanders (Belgium): concentrations, trends and dose-effect relationships (FLEHS II). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2014; 71:20-28. [PMID: 24950161 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2007, the second cycle of the Flemish human biomonitoring survey started, with a main focus on 14-15 year-old adolescents. OBJECTIVES The main objectives were generating reference values for exposure markers, determining the pollution pressure in industrial hotspots and establishing dose-effect relationships between exposure to pollutants and hormone levels, sexual development, asthma and allergy, genotoxic and hematological markers. METHODS Geometric means with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for a reference population of 200 14-15 year-old adolescents. Stepwise multiple regression analyses with correction for confounders and covariates were performed to establish dose-effect relationships. RESULTS Geometric mean concentrations (with 95% CI) of 49.6 (45.7, 53.8), 70.8 (63.6, 78.8) and 8.34 (7.76, 8.97) n gg(-1) lipid for the sum of PCB 138, 153 and 180, p,p'-DDE and HCB were respectively 23%, 26% and 60% lower than those obtained five years earlier. Geometric mean concentrations of 108 (101, 114) and 32.1 (30.1, 34.2) pgCALUX-BEQg(-1) lipid were observed for the PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs, respectively. Multiple dose-effect relationships were observed between POPs and several effect markers, including positive (boys) and negative (girls) associations with data on sexual development and positive associations with asthma, animal allergy and free thyroxine (boys and girls). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that chlorinated POP concentrations are decreasing over time and that even relatively low concentrations are associated with biological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Croes
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | | | - Liesbeth Bruckers
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Ilse Loots
- Political and Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bert Morrens
- Political and Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vera Nelen
- Provincial Institute for Hygiene, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ann Colles
- Environmental Health and Risk, VITO, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Isabelle Sioen
- Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tara Vandermarken
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Van Larebeke
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Willy Baeyens
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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19
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Vested A, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Olsen SF, Bonde JP, Støvring H, Kristensen SL, Halldorsson TI, Rantakokko P, Kiviranta H, Ernst EH, Toft G. In utero exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants and reproductive health in the human male. Reproduction 2014; 148:635-46. [PMID: 25190505 PMCID: PMC4241711 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) are ubiquitous, bioaccumulative compounds with potential endocrine-disrupting effects. They cross the placental barrier thereby resulting in in utero exposure of the developing fetus. The objective of this study was to investigate whether maternal serum concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) during pregnancy are associated with son's semen quality and reproductive hormone levels. During 2008-2009, we recruited 176 male offspring from a Danish cohort of pregnant women who participated in a study in 1988-1989. Each provided semen and blood samples that were analyzed for sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, and morphology, and reproductive hormone levels, respectively. The maternal blood samples were collected in pregnancy week 30 and were analyzed for the concentrations of six PCBs (PCB-118, -138, -153, -156, -170, and -180) and p,p'-DDE. The potential associations between in utero exposure to ΣPCBs (pmol/ml), Σdioxin like-(DL) PCBs (PCB-118 and -156) (pmol/ml), and p,p'-DDE and semen quality and reproductive hormone levels were investigated using multiple regression. Maternal median (range) exposure levels of ΣPCB, ΣDL-PCB, and p,p'-DDE were 10.0 (2.1-35.0) pmol/ml, 0.8 (0.2-2.7) pmol/ml, and 8.0 (0.7-55.3) pmol/ml, respectively, reflecting typical background exposure levels in the late 1980s in Denmark. Results suggested that in utero exposure to ΣPCB, ΣDL-PCB, and p,p'-DDE was not statistically significantly associated with semen quality measures or reproductive hormone levels. Thus, results based on maternal PCB and p,p'-DDE concentrations alone are not indicative of long-term consequences for male reproductive health; however, we cannot exclude that these POPs in concert with other endocrine-modulating compounds may have adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Vested
- Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Cecilia H Ramlau-Hansen
- Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Sjurdur F Olsen
- Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jens Peter Bonde
- Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Henrik Støvring
- Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Susanne L Kristensen
- Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Thorhallur I Halldorsson
- Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Panu Rantakokko
- Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Hannu Kiviranta
- Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Emil H Ernst
- Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Gunnar Toft
- Department of Occupational MedicineDanish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44 Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkSection for EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1260, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkStatens Serum InstitutCentre for Fetal Programming, Artellerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, DenmarkDepartment of Occupational and Environmental MedicineBispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg Bakke 23 Building 33 1st floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, DenmarkDepartment of Public HealthBiostatistics, Bartholins Allé 2 Building 1261, DK-8000 Aarhus C, DenmarkFaculty of Food Science and NutritionUniversity of Iceland, Eiríksgata 29, 101 Reykjavík, IcelandDepartment of Environmental HealthNational Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, FinlandSection WestInstitute for Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 2, build. 1170, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Vested A, Giwercman A, Bonde JP, Toft G. Persistent organic pollutants and male reproductive health. Asian J Androl 2014; 16:71-80. [PMID: 24369135 PMCID: PMC3901884 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.122345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental contaminants such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are man-made bioaccumulative compounds with long half-lives that are found throughout the world as a result of heavy use in a variety of consumer products during the twentieth century. Wildlife and animal studies have long suggested adverse effects of exposure to these compounds on human reproductive health, which, according to the endocrine disrupter hypothesis, are ascribed to the compounds’ potential to interfere with endocrine signaling, especially when exposure occurs during certain phases of fetal and childhood development. An extensive number of epidemiological studies have addressed the possible effects of exposure to POPs on male reproductive health, but the results are conflicting. Thus far, most studies have focused on investigating exposure and the different reproductive health outcomes during adulthood. Some studies have addressed the potential harmful effects of fetal exposure with respect to malformations at birth and/or reproductive development, whereas only a few studies have been able to evaluate whether intrauterine exposure to POPs has long-term consequences for male reproductive health with measurable effects on semen quality markers and reproductive hormone levels in adulthood. Humans are not exposed to a single compound at a time, but rather, to a variety of different substances with potential divergent hormonal effects. Hence, how to best analyze epidemiological data on combined exposures remains a significant challenge. This review on POPs will focus on current knowledge regarding the potential effects of exposure to POPs during fetal and childhood life and during adulthood on male reproductive health, including a critical revision of the endocrine disruption hypothesis, a comment on pubertal development as part of reproductive development and a comment on how to account for combined exposures in epidemiological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Vested
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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21
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Yoshinaga J, Imai K, Shiraishi H, Nozawa S, Yoshiike M, Mieno MN, Andersson AM, Iwamoto T. Pyrethroid insecticide exposure and reproductive hormone levels in healthy Japanese male subjects. Andrology 2014; 2:416-20. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00202.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2013] [Revised: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Yoshinaga
- Department of Environmental Studies; University of Tokyo; Kashiwa Chiba Japan
| | - K. Imai
- Department of Environmental Studies; University of Tokyo; Kashiwa Chiba Japan
| | - H. Shiraishi
- National Institute for Environmental Studies; Tsukuba Ibaraki Japan
| | - S. Nozawa
- Department of Urology; St. Marianna University School of Medicine; Kawasaki Kanagawa Japan
| | - M. Yoshiike
- Department of Urology; St. Marianna University School of Medicine; Kawasaki Kanagawa Japan
| | - M. N. Mieno
- Centre for Information; Jichi Medical University; Shimotsuke Tochigi Japan
| | - A.-M. Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction; Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - T. Iwamoto
- Department of Urology; St. Marianna University School of Medicine; Kawasaki Kanagawa Japan
- Center for Infertility and IVF; International University of Health and Welfare Hospital; Nasushiobara Tochigi Japan
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22
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Faniband M, Lindh CH, Jönsson BAG. Human biological monitoring of suspected endocrine-disrupting compounds. Asian J Androl 2014; 16:5-16. [PMID: 24369128 PMCID: PMC3901881 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.122197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting compounds are exogenous agents that interfere with the natural hormones of the body. Human biological monitoring is a powerful method for monitoring exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds. In this review, we describe human biological monitoring systems for different groups of endocrine disrupting compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, brominated flame retardants, phthalates, alkylphenols, pesticides, metals, perfluronated compounds, parabens, ultraviolet filters, and organic solvents. The aspects discussed are origin to exposure, metabolism, matrices to analyse, analytical determination methods, determinants, and time trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moosa Faniband
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christian H Lindh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bo AG Jönsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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23
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Persistent organochlorine pollutants with endocrine activity and blood steroid hormone levels in middle-aged men. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66460. [PMID: 23785499 PMCID: PMC3681943 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies relating long-term exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) with endocrine activities (endocrine disrupting chemicals) on circulating levels of steroid hormones have been limited to a small number of hormones and reported conflicting results. OBJECTIVE We examined the relationship between serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androstenedione, androstenediol, testosterone, free and bioavailable testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estrone, estrone sulphate, estradiol, sex-hormone binding globulin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone as a function of level of exposure to three POPs known to interfere with hormone-regulated processes in different way: dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener 153, and chlordecone. METHODS We collected fasting, morning serum samples from 277 healthy, non obese, middle-aged men from the French West Indies. Steroid hormones were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, except for dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, which was determined by immunological assay, as were the concentrations of sex-hormone binding globulin, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Associations were assessed by multiple linear regression analysis, controlling for confounding factors, in a backward elimination procedure, in multiple bootstrap samples. RESULTS DDE exposure was negatively associated to dihydrotestosterone level and positively associated to luteinizing hormone level. PCB 153 was positively associated to androstenedione and estrone levels. No association was found for chlordecone. CONCLUSIONS These results suggested that the endocrine response pattern, estimated by determining blood levels of steroid hormones, varies depending on the POPs studied, possibly reflecting differences in the modes of action generally attributed to these compounds. It remains to be investigated whether this response pattern is predictive of the subsequent occurrence of disease.
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24
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Martenies SE, Perry MJ. Environmental and occupational pesticide exposure and human sperm parameters: a systematic review. Toxicology 2013; 307:66-73. [PMID: 23438386 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2013.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Revised: 01/31/2013] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Of continuing concern are the associations between environmental or occupational exposures to pesticides and semen quality parameters. Prior research has indicated that there may be associations between exposure to pesticides of a variety of classes and decreased sperm health. The intent of this review was to summarize the most recent evidence related to pesticide exposures and commonly used semen quality parameters, including concentration, motility and morphology. The recent literature was searched for studies published between January 2007 and August 2012 that focused on environmental or occupational pesticide exposures. Included in the review are 17 studies, 15 of which reported significant associations between exposure to pesticides and semen quality indicators. Two studies also investigated the roles genetic polymorphisms may play in the strength or directions of these associations. Specific pesticides targeted for study included dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), and abamectin. Pyrethroids and organophosphates were analyzed as classes of pesticides rather than as individual compounds, primarily due to the limitations of exposure assessment techniques. Overall, a majority of the studies reported significant associations between pesticide exposure and sperm parameters. A decrease in sperm concentration was the most commonly reported finding among all of the pesticide classes investigated. Decreased motility was also associated with exposures to each of the pesticide classes, although these findings were less frequent across studies. An association between pesticide exposure and sperm morphology was less clear, with only two studies reporting an association. The evidence presented in this review continues to support the hypothesis that exposures to pesticides at environmentally or occupationally relevant levels may be associated with decreased sperm health. Future work in this area should focus on associations between specific pesticides or metabolic products and sperm quality parameters. Analysis of effects of varying genetic characteristics, especially in genes related to pesticide metabolism, also needs further attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena E Martenies
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, School of Public Health and Health Services, 2100 M Street, NW Suite 203A, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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Grandjean P, Grønlund C, Kjær IM, Jensen TK, Sørensen N, Andersson AM, Juul A, Skakkebæk NE, Budtz-Jørgensen E, Weihe P. Reproductive hormone profile and pubertal development in 14-year-old boys prenatally exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls. Reprod Toxicol 2012; 34:498-503. [PMID: 22841741 PMCID: PMC3513575 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2012.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2011] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/03/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Because polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are thought to cause endocrine disruption, we examined 438 adolescent boys from a birth cohort in the Faroe Islands, where PCB exposures are elevated. We measured PCBs and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) in cord blood and in serum from clinical examination at age 14. Higher prenatal PCB exposure was associated with lower serum concentrations of both luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone. In addition, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) was positively associated with both prenatal and concurrent PCB exposures. The PCB-SHBG association was robust to covariate adjustment. In a structural equation model, a doubling in prenatal PCB exposure was associated with a decrease in LH of 6% (p=0.03). Prenatal exposure to PCB and DDE showed weak, non-significant inverse associations with testicular size and Tanner stage. DDE was highly correlated with PCB and showed slightly weaker associations with the hormone profile. These findings suggest that delayed puberty with low serum-LH concentrations associated with developmental exposure to non dioxin-like PCBs may be due to a central hypothalamo-pituitary mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Ciea Grønlund
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Ina M Kjær
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels E Skakkebæk
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Pal Weihe
- Faroese Hospital System, FR-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
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