Semen quality in relation to xenohormone and dioxin-like serum activity among Inuits and three European populations.
BACKGROUND
Semen quality in humans may be influenced by exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds.


OBJECTIVE
We analyzed associations between semen characteristics and serum xenoestrogen receptor (XER), xenoandrogen receptor (XAR), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transactivity. XER and XAR activity were measured in serum samples cleared for endogenous steroid hormones and AhR activity in raw lipophilic serum extracts free of proteins.


RESULTS
All together, 319 men from Warsaw (Poland), Greenland, Kharkiv (Ukraine), and Sweden provided semen and blood samples. No strong and consistent associations between xenobiotic activity and semen quality measures were observed in the four populations. However, when the data were combined across populations sperm concentration increased 40% per unit increase in XER activity [95% confidence interval (CI), 1-79%] in the subgroup with XER activity below the reference level. Among subjects with XER activity above the reference level an increase of 14% (95% CI, 2-28%) was found. Furthermore, an increase of 10% motile sperm per unit increase in XER activity below reference level (95% CI, 0.2-20) was found. We are unable to exclude that the associations are chance findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Alteration of XER, XAR, or AhR transactivity within the range found in serum from the general European and Inuit population seems not to markedly deteriorate sperm cell concentration, motility, or morphology in adult men.
Toft
Gunnar
G
Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. gutos@as.aaa.dk
Long
Manhai
M
Krüger
Tanja
T
Hjelmborg
Philip S
PS
Bonde
Jens Peter
JP
Rignell-Hydbom
Anna
A
Tyrkiel
Ewa
E
Hagmar
Lars
L
Giwercman
Aleksander
A
Spanó
Marcello
M
Bizzaro
Davide
D
Pedersen
Henning S
HS
Lesovoy
Vladymir
V
Ludwicki
Jan K
JK
Bonefeld-Jørgensen
Eva C
EC
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004147:Dioxins / Q000097:blood; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D044465:White People; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000633:toxicity*
D004147:Dioxins; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D015262:Xenobiotics