Spermatogenic capacity in fertile men with elevated exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Endocrine disrupting industrial chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are suspected to adversely affect male reproductive functions.

Objectives

The Faroe Islands community exhibits an unusually wide range of exposures to dietary contaminants, and in this setting we examined the possible association between PCB exposure and semen quality and reproductive hormones in fertile Faroese men.

Methods

Participants in this cross-sectional study include 266 proven fertile men residing in the Faroe Islands. PCB levels and hormone profiles were measured in serum samples taken at the clinical examination that included semen quality parameters.

Results

A significant positive association was seen between serum-PCB and the testosterone/estradiol ratio

SUBMITTER: Petersen MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4394374 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature