title: Phthalate exposure and reproductive parameters in young men from the general Swedish population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In animals, exposure to certain phthalates negatively affects the male reproductive function. Human results are conflicting and mostly based on subfertile males, in whom the association between exposure and reproductive function may differ from the general population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study if levels of phthalate metabolites were associated with semen quality and reproductive hormones in general Swedish men.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 314 young men delivering semen, urine and blood samples at the same visit. We analyzed reproductive hormones and several semen parameters including progressive motility and high DNA stainability (HDS)-a marker for sperm immaturity. In urine, we analyzed metabolites of phthalates, including diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). We studied associations between urinary levels of the metabolites and seminal as well as serum reproductive parameters, accounting for potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DEHP metabolite levels, particularly urinary mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), were negatively associated with progressive sperm motility, which was 11 (95% CI: 5.0-17) percentage points lower in the highest quartile of MECPP than in the lowest. Further, men in the highest quartile of the DEHP metabolite monoethylhexyl phthalate had 27% (95% CI: 5.5%-53%) higher HDS than men in the lowest quartile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DEHP metabolite levels seemed negatively associated with sperm motility and maturation.
authors: Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Dept. of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden; Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: jonatan.axelsson@med.lu.se.
authors: Jonatan
authors: J
authors: Axelsson
authors: Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden.
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Rylander
authors: Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Rignell-Hydbom
authors: Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden.
authors: Bo A G
authors: BA
authors: Jönsson
authors: Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden.
authors: Christian H
authors: CH
authors: Lindh
authors: Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Dept. of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.
authors: Aleksander
authors: A
authors: Giwercman
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C032279:phthalic acid; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate
keywords: Environmental exposure; Fertility; Phthalate metabolites; Reproductive hormones; Semen analysis; Sperm motility