Negative effects of serum p,p'-DDE on sperm parameters and modification by genetic polymorphisms.
OBJECTIVE
Effects of ambient exposure to DDT and its metabolites (DDE-DDT) on human sperm parameters and the role of genetic polymorphisms in modifying the association were investigated.


METHODS
Demographics, medical history data, blood and semen samples were obtained from the first 336 male partners of couples presenting to 2 infertility clinics. Serum was analyzed for organochlorines (OC) and DNA for polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and CYP1A1. Men with each sperm parameter considered low by WHO criteria (concentration <20million/mL, motility <50%, morphology <4%) were compared to men with all normal sperm parameters in logistic regression models, controlling for sum of other OC pesticides.


RESULTS
High DDE-DDT level was associated with significantly increased odds for all 3 low sperm parameters. The risk of low motility with high DDE-DDT exposure was increased in men with the GSTT1 null genotype compared to those with GSTT1 intact (odds ratio (OR)=4.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-16.78 and OR=3.57, 1.43-8.93, respectively). Risk for low morphology in men with high DDE-DDT and one or both CYP1A1*2A alleles was lower compared to men with the common CYP1A1 alleles (OR=2.18, 0.78-6.07 vs. OR=3.45, 1.32-9.03, respectively). Similar results were obtained for men with low DDE-DDT exposure. Effects of high DDE-DDT on low sperm concentration (OR=2.53, 1.0-6.31) was unaffected by the presence of the polymorphisms.


CONCLUSIONS
High DDE-DDT exposure adversely affected all 3 sperm parameters and its effects were exacerbated by the GSTT1 null polymorphism and by the CYP1A1 common alleles.
Messaros
Bridget M
BM
Department of Epidemiology, Michigan State University, A632 West Fee Hall, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA.
Rossano
Mary G
MG
Liu
Guanghui
G
Diamond
Michael P
MP
Friderici
Karen
K
Nummy-Jernigan
Katherine
K
Daly
Douglas
D
Puscheck
Elizabeth
E
Paneth
Nigel
N
Wirth
Julia J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000235:genetics*; D003634:DDT / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000633:toxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D055815:Young Adult
D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; D003634:DDT; D004247:DNA; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D007306:Insecticides; C413545:glutathione S-transferase T1