Effects of occupational solvent exposure on reproductive hormone concentrations and fecundability in men.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the effects of organic solvents on male reproductive health. To assess fertility and reproductive endocrine function in solvent-exposed men, we investigated time-to-pregnancy using a retrospective cohort design and cross-sectionally measured reproductive hormone concentrations in painters and millwrights compared to a reference group of carpenters.


METHODS
Detailed occupational, exposure, medical, and time-to-pregnancy histories were obtained by telephone interview. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone concentrations were determined by immunoassay. Exposure indices, which summarized working life exposure to total solvents, chlorinated solvents, aromatic solvents, and thinners, degreasers, varnishes, and adhesives as a category were calculated from exposure histories.


RESULTS
FSH concentrations increased significantly with increasing exposure indices for all solvents and for chlorinated solvents. There were no significant associations of solvent exposure indices with LH or testosterone levels. LH, FSH, and testosterone concentrations also did not differ by job title. Using Cox regression, time-to-pregnancy was non-significantly longer in the painters and millwrights than the carpenters. There was no significant association between time-to-pregnancy and any of the solvent exposure indices; however, it should be noted that some of the pregnancies occurred more than 20 years previously, potentially reducing the reliability of the retrospectively collected pregnancy and exposure data.


CONCLUSIONS
The significant associations between FSH levels and solvent exposure indices suggest the potential for adverse effects of solvent exposures on reproductive function in men.
Luderer
Ulrike
U
Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California 92617, USA. uluderer@uci.edu
Bushley
Abigail
A
Stover
Bert D
BD
Bremner
William J
WJ
Faustman
Elaine M
EM
Takaro
Timothy K
TK
Checkoway
Harvey
H
Brodkin
Carl Andrew
CA
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002617:Chemical Industry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D042341:Gonadal Hormones / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
D042341:Gonadal Hormones; D006062:Gonadotropins; D012997:Solvents; D013739:Testosterone