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Urinary phthalate monoesters concentration in couples with infertility problems
Giovanna Tranfo1, Lidia Caporossi, Enrico Paci
1INAIL Research, Department of Occupational Medicine, Via di Fontana Candida 1, 00040 Monteporzio Catone, Rome, Italy. giovanna.tranfo@ispesl.it
Toxicology Letters
|December 27, 2011
Summary
Human exposure to phthalates, chemicals that can disrupt the endocrine system and affect reproduction, was studied. Urinary phthalate metabolite levels were significantly higher in couples undergoing assisted reproduction compared to parents.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Toxicology
Background:
- Phthalates are widely used industrial chemicals with known endocrine-disrupting properties.
- Human exposure to phthalates is common, with metabolites excreted in urine.
- Certain phthalates, like DEHP and DnBP, are linked to reproductive interference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations between couples seeking assisted reproduction and fertile couples.
- To investigate the potential link between phthalate exposure and reproductive health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of 56 couples from an assisted reproduction center and 56 fertile couples.
- Collection of spot urine samples from all participants.
- Quantification of five urinary phthalate metabolites using HPLC/MS/MS with isotopic dilution.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations were observed between the two groups.
- Couples undergoing assisted reproduction showed higher levels of certain phthalate metabolites.
Conclusions:
- Elevated urinary phthalate metabolite levels may be associated with subfertility or infertility.
- Further research correlating these findings with lifestyle and occupational factors is warranted.
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