title: Urinary metabolites of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate relation to sperm motility, reactive oxygen species generation, and apoptosis in polyvinyl chloride workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the concentrations of urinary di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) workers and a control group for determining the relationship of DEHP exposure to semen quality, sperm reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and sperm apoptosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed the metabolites of DEHP, namely urinary mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), and semen quality, such as sperm concentration, motility, morphology, ROS generation, and DNA damage by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling assay obtained from 47 workers employed within two PVC pellet plants and 15 graduate students in Taiwan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sperm concentration and motility were significantly affected in the high-exposure group. The percentage and intensity of sperm ROS generation were higher in the high-exposure group than those in the control group. After adjustment for age, smoking status, and coffee consumption, the decrease in sperm motility was inversely associated with the concentration of MEHP (β = -0.549, p = 0.0085), MEHHP (β = -0.155, p = 0.0074), and MEOHP (β = -0.201, p = 0.0041). Moreover, sperm apoptosis and ROS generation were positively associated with MEHHP and MEOHP concentration, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was the first study to explore the associations between levels of DEHP exposure, sperm motility, ROS generation, and apoptosis. The results suggested that urinary MEHHP and MEOHP were sensitive biomarkers for reflecting the relationship between DEHP exposure and semen quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology, No. 2, Jhuoyue Rd., Nanzih District, Kaohsiung City, 811, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Li-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ching-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jer-Pei
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Po-Hsiu
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Tung-Sheng
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Ping-Chi
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000652:urine; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010795:Phthalic Acids; D010968:Plasticizers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C479069:mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate; C080276:mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate; C016599:mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate