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A Case–Control Study on the Effects of Plasticizers Exposure on Male Fertility

Author

Listed:
  • Lidia Caporossi

    (National Institute of Insurance against Accidents at Work-Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy)

  • Paola Viganò

    (Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy)

  • Enrico Paci

    (National Institute of Insurance against Accidents at Work-Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy)

  • Silvia Capanna

    (National Institute of Insurance against Accidents at Work-Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy)

  • Alessandra Alteri

    (Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy)

  • Daniela Pigini

    (National Institute of Insurance against Accidents at Work-Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy)

  • Giovanna Tranfo

    (National Institute of Insurance against Accidents at Work-Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy)

  • Bruno Papaleo

    (National Institute of Insurance against Accidents at Work-Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy)

Abstract

Male infertility is a serious concern for public health, and the possible role of exposure to plasticizers such as phthalates and bisphenol A in contributing to the condition is widely debated. We have herein enrolled 155 infertility cases attending an infertility center and 211 controls (fathers of a spontaneously conceived newborn) to investigate this issue. The urinary levels of seven phthalates and BPA were analyzed through HPLC/MS/MS. All data were statistically elaborated considering information about clinical situation, life habits, occupational activity, and, for cases, semen parameters (volume, sperm concentration, total count of spermatozoa, and sperm motility). Results showed significantly higher urinary concentrations for all the phthalates in cases compared to controls, except for monoethylphthalate and BPA. In total, 90.07% of cases had sperm motility lower than the WHO reference value (2010), while 53.69%, 46.31%, and 16.56% had sperm total number, concentration, and volume, respectively, out of the reference range. Regarding the possible source of exposure, the use of scents seems to be a significant source of DEP (diethylphthalate). When considering occupational settings, industrial workers, dental technicians, artisans, and farmers using chemicals showed higher risk (OR = 2.766, 95% CI 1.236–6.185), particularly in relation to DnBP (di- n -butyl phthalate) and DEHP (di-ethyl-hexyl phthalate) exposure. No clear quantitative correlation between specific plasticizers and sperm parameters could be demonstrated but these findings call for future studies about the risks associated with exposure to their mixture.

Suggested Citation

  • Lidia Caporossi & Paola Viganò & Enrico Paci & Silvia Capanna & Alessandra Alteri & Daniela Pigini & Giovanna Tranfo & Bruno Papaleo, 2022. "A Case–Control Study on the Effects of Plasticizers Exposure on Male Fertility," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:235-:d:1013100
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maohua Miao & Wei Yuan & Fen Yang & Hong Liang & Zhijun Zhou & Runsheng Li & Ersheng Gao & De-Kun Li, 2015. "Associations between Bisphenol A Exposure and Reproductive Hormones among Female Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Lidia Caporossi & Alessandra Alteri & Giovanni Campo & Enrico Paci & Giovanna Tranfo & Silvia Capanna & Enrico Papaleo & Daniela Pigini & Paola Viganò & Bruno Papaleo, 2020. "Cross Sectional Study on Exposure to BPA and Phthalates and Semen Parameters in Men Attending a Fertility Center," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, January.
    3. Xiaona Huo & Dan Chen & Yonghua He & Wenting Zhu & Wei Zhou & Jun Zhang, 2015. "Bisphenol-A and Female Infertility: A Possible Role of Gene-Environment Interactions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-16, September.
    4. Henrieta Hlisníková & Ida Petrovičová & Branislav Kolena & Miroslava Šidlovská & Alexander Sirotkin, 2020. "Effects and Mechanisms of Phthalates’ Action on Reproductive Processes and Reproductive Health: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-37, September.
    5. Annette M. Krais & Christina Andersen & Axel C. Eriksson & Eskil Johnsson & Jörn Nielsen & Joakim Pagels & Anders Gudmundsson & Christian H. Lindh & Aneta Wierzbicka, 2018. "Excretion of Urinary Metabolites of the Phthalate Esters DEP and DEHP in 16 Volunteers after Inhalation and Dermal Exposure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-14, November.
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