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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)

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Skaalum Petersen

    (Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, the Faroes Hospital System, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
    Center of Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands)

  • Jónrit Halling

    (Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, the Faroes Hospital System, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
    Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Faroe Islands, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands)

  • Niels Jørgensen

    (Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Flemming Nielsen

    (Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark)

  • Philippe Grandjean

    (Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
    Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Tina Kold Jensen

    (Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
    Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark)

  • Pál Weihe

    (Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, the Faroes Hospital System, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
    Center of Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Skaalum Petersen & Jónrit Halling & Niels Jørgensen & Flemming Nielsen & Philippe Grandjean & Tina Kold Jensen & Pál Weihe, 2018. "Reproductive Function in a Population of Young Faroese Men with Elevated Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Perfluorinated Alkylate Substances (PFAS)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:9:p:1880-:d:166699
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    Cited by:

    1. Pheruza Tarapore & Bin Ouyang, 2021. "Perfluoroalkyl Chemicals and Male Reproductive Health: Do PFOA and PFOS Increase Risk for Male Infertility?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-20, April.

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