Distribution of persistent organochlorine contaminants in infertile patients from Tanzania and Germany.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether environmental pollutants could affect fertility in humans.


METHODS
31 women and 16 men from Tanzania and 21 couples from Germany were included (n = 89). Pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were measured in serum, follicular fluid or seminal plasma by gaschromatography and related to sperm quality and pregnancy rates.


RESULTS
Higher concentrations of DDT+DDE and dieldrin in Tanzania and higher concentrations of PCBs in Germany and in men were detected. All compounds showed higher concentrations in serum and lowest concentrations in seminal plasma. A lower pregnancy rate in German women with high serum concentrations of DDT+DDE was observed. The toxins had no impact on sperm quality.


CONCLUSIONS
The distribution of toxins between agricultural and industrial countries is different. Seminal plasma seems to be inert against chemicals. In patients with high serum concentrations of DDT and DDE pregnancy rates were impaired.
Weiss
Jürgen M
JM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinic Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538, Luebeck, Germany. jmweiss1@hotmail.com
Bauer
Otmar
O
Blüthgen
Albrecht
A
Ludwig
Annika K
AK
Vollersen
Elke
E
Kaisi
Malise
M
Al-Hasani
Safaa
S
Diedrich
Klaus
K
Ludwig
Michael
M
D003634:DDT / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D004026:Dieldrin / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D003634:DDT; D004026:Dieldrin