Semen quality and exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants.
BACKGROUND
Inconsistent results have been found in previous human studies on male reproductive toxicity of persistent organochlorine pollutants. The majority of studies have been conducted among selected populations of infertility clients or among occupational cohorts including a limited number of participants.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study of semen quality and serum concentration of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE) among 763 men. We included men from all regions in Greenland (n = 194), fishermen from Sweden (n = 185), inhabitants of the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine (n = 195), and inhabitants of the city of Warsaw, Poland (n = 189). Blood samples were analyzed for CB-153 and p,p'-DDE using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and adjusted for serum lipids.


RESULTS
Sperm concentration was not impaired with increasing serum CB-153 or p,p'-DDE levels in any of the separate groups or overall. Similarly, the proportion of morphologically normal sperm was not associated with either CB-153 or p,p'-DDE blood concentration. However, sperm motility was inversely related to CB-153 concentration in Greenland and the Swedish fishermen population. Across all 4 regions, the sperm motility decreased on average by 3.6% (95% confidence interval = 1.7% to 5.6%) per one-unit increase in the log of blood CB-153 (ng/g lipid). The concentration of p,p'-DDE was negatively associated with sperm motility in the Greenlandic population and in the compiled dataset.


CONCLUSIONS
Adult exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants within the ranges observed in the present study is not likely to cause reduction in sperm concentration or morphology. However, higher exposure may be associated with impaired sperm motility.
Toft
Gunnar
G
Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. gutof@as.aaa.dk
Rignell-Hydbom
Anna
A
Tyrkiel
Ewa
E
Shvets
Maryna
M
Giwercman
Aleksander
A
Lindh
Christian H
CH
Pedersen
Henning S
HS
Ludwicki
Jan K
JK
Lesovoy
Vladimir
V
Hagmar
Lars
L
Spanó
Marcello
M
Manicardi
Gian C
GC
Bonefeld-Jorgensen
Eva C
EC
Thulstrup
Ane M
AM
Bonde
Jens P
JP
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006116:Greenland; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013548:Sweden; D014455:Ukraine
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D008055:Lipids; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; C014024:2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl