Analysis of PAEs in semen of infertile men.
OBJECTIVE
Phthalates are environmental chemicals with reproductive toxicity and estrogenic effects in animals. They are of increasing concern to human health.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether phthalate levels in semen were associated with infertility.


METHODS
Using semen samples from 107 infertile and 94 fertile men, the presence and quantity of five phthalate esters were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using data collected from questionnaires and clinical examinations, the correlation between phthalate exposure and semen quality was analyzed.


RESULTS
The cumulative levels of the measured phthalate esters were significantly higher in the infertility group compared to the control group (P<0·05). Concentrations of the five phthalate esters in men varied by age with older men showing higher cumulative levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of phthalates may contribute to male infertility in our study population.
Sheng-Yuan
SY
Wang
Yu
Y
Wang
Fang-Qin
FQ
Xie
Yan-Xing
YX
Li
Xue-Lian
XL
Wan
Wei-Wei
WW
Ma
De-Cai
DC
Wang
Yong-Hui
YH
Wu
D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D055101:Semen Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010795:Phthalic Acids
High-performance liquid chromatography; Male infertility,; Phthalates,; Semen,