Association between use of phthalate-containing medication and semen quality among men in couples referred for assisted reproduction.

ABSTRACT:

Study question

Does phthalate exposure from prescription drugs affect semen quality?

Summary answer

Exposure to phthalate-containing drugs is associated with poor semen quality.

What is known already

Phthalates and their metabolites have been shown to disrupt the hormone signalling in animal studies. One study has shown associations between medicinal phthalate exposure and poor semen quality, suggesting similar effects in humans.

Study design, size, duration

We included 18 515 males with poor semen quality (cases) and 31 063 males with normal semen quality (controls) registered in the Danish IVF Registry from 2006 to 2016.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Exposure to phthalate-containing drugs was assessed from the Danish Register of Medicinal Pr

SUBMITTER: Broe A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6454815 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature