title: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and sperm quality.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are known to be endocrine disruptors and may affect male reproduction. This exploratory study investigated semen parameters and serum thyroid hormones in relation to serum PBDE, PCBs and p-p' DDE in adult men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two men were recruited in a fertility clinic. Semen counts were done for each participant. Serum thyroid hormone and PBDE, PCB and p-p' DDE levels were measured. Sociodemographic questionnaire were administered to each participant and all medical data were obtained from medical record.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Semen mobility was negatively related to BDE-47, BDE-100 and ΣBDE. No relations were observed with other semen parameters. Thyroxin levels were negatively associated to serum BDE-47, BDE-99, ΣBDE and p-p' DDE and positively related to ΣPCB. No relations were observed between T3, TSH and any of the chemicals measured.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings increased the evidence that PBDE may interfere with semen quality and thyroid status in general population.
authors.affiliation: Faculté de Médecine, Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique Université de Sherbrooke 3001, 12e avenue Nord Sherbrooke, Québec Canada J1H 5N4. Nadia.Abdelouahab@USherbrooke.ca
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abdelouahab
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ainmelk
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Takser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D011792:Quebec; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; C517827:pentabrominated diphenyl ether 100; C511295:2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls