Fertility in four regions spanning large contrasts in serum levels of widespread persistent organochlorines: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) may interfere with reproductive function but direct evidence in humans is very limited.


METHODS
Fertility was examined in four regions with contrasting blood levels of POPs. Pregnant women and their partners in Warsaw (Poland), Kharkiv (Ukraine) and Greenland were consecutively enrolled during antenatal visits. Swedish fishermen and their spouses were recruited separately and independently of current pregnancy. Lipid adjusted serum concentrations of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (DDE) were available for both partners. Time to pregnancy interviews were obtained among 2269 women and 798 men provided a semen sample.


RESULTS
Inuits had high levels of both POP markers, Swedish fishermen were high in CB-153 but low in DDE, men from Kharkiv were high in DDE and low in CB-153 while men from Warsaw were low in CB-153 and had intermediate DDE levels. Compared to Warsaw couples, fecundability was reduced among couples from Kharkiv [adjusted fecundability ratio (FR) 0.64 (95% CI 0.5-0.8)] and elevated in Swedish fishermen families [FR 1.26 (95% CI 1.0-1.6)]. Adjusted geometric means of sperm counts and morphology did not differ between regions while sperm motility was higher in men living in Warsaw.


CONCLUSIONS
We observed regional differences in time to pregnancy and sperm motility that may be related to regional differences in POP blood levels, but other interpretations are also plausible. In particular, differences in access to safe contraception and in the prevalence of contraceptive failures are most likely to bias comparisons of time to pregnancy.
Toft
Gunnar
G
Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44, build, 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. gutof@as.aaa.dk
Axmon
Anna
A
Giwercman
Aleksander
A
Thulstrup
Ane Marie
AM
Rignell-Hydbom
Anna
A
Pedersen
Henning Sloth
HS
Ludwicki
Jan K
JK
Zvyezday
Valentina
V
Zinchuk
Andery
A
Spano
Marcello
M
Manicardi
Gian Carlo
GC
Bonefeld-Jørgensen
Eva C
EC
Hagmar
Lars
L
Bonde
Jens Peter
JP
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006116:Greenland; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D018454:Spouses; D013548:Sweden; D014455:Ukraine
D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated