Exposure to CB-153 and p,p'-DDE and male reproductive function.
BACKGROUND
During the last decades, there has been concern that exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs), may contribute to an impairment of male reproductive function. To investigate whether exposure to 2,2'4,4'5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE) affects semen quantity and quality and reproductive hormones, 195 Swedish fishermen, aged 24-65 years, were investigated.


METHODS
The men provided semen samples which were analysed in a mobile laboratory unit. Blood samples and information relating to lifestyle, medical and reproductive history were obtained.


RESULTS
The subjects had a median CB-153 serum level of 193 ng/g lipid (range 39-1460) and a median p,p'-DDE serum level of 240 ng/g lipid (range 334-2251). When CB-153 was categorized into quintiles, the subjects in the quintile with the highest concentration (> 328 ng/g lipid), tended to have decreased sperm motility compared with the subjects in the lowest quintile (< 113 ng/g lipid). The age-adjusted mean difference was 9.9% (95% confidence interval -1.0 to 21% P = 0.08). We found no significant associations between p,p'-DDE and semen characteristics or reproductive hormones.


CONCLUSIONS
The association between CB-153 and sperm motility, although not formally significant, is of interest considering the possible endocrine-disrupting effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden. Anna.Rignell-Hydbom@ymed.lu.se
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Rignell-Hydbom
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Rylander
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Giwercman
B A G
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Jönsson
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Nilsson-Ehle
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Hagmar
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013548:Sweden
D007306:Insecticides; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; C014024:2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl