Associations between urinary phthalate concentrations and semen quality parameters in a general population.

ABSTRACT:

Study question

Are urinary phthalate concentrations associated with altered semen quality parameters among males recruited from the general population?

Summary answer

Urinary levels of metabolites of phthalate diesters are associated with lower total sperm counts, larger sperm head sizes, and higher percentages of morphologically abnormal sperm.

What is known already

High dose experiments in rats implicate phthalates as anti-androgens. Studies involving infertile men seeking care suggest that phthalates influence measures of semen quality raising concern about the implications for men in the general population.

Study design, size, duration

This prospective cohort study comprised 501 male partners in couples discontinuing contraception to become pregnant, who we

SUBMITTER: Bloom MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4605371 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature