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Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes

Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes

Published on: November 28, 2018

Urinary concentrations of benzophenone-type ultraviolet light filters and semen quality

Germaine M Buck Louis¹, Zhen Chen², Sungduk Kim²

¹Office of the Director, Division of Intramural Population Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Rockville, Maryland.

Fertility and Sterility

|August 9, 2015

Abstract

Objective:

To assess benzophenone-type ultraviolet (UV) filter concentrations, chemicals used in sunscreen and personal care products, and semen endpoints.

Design:

Cohort.

Setting:

Not applicable.

Patient(S):

A total of 413 men provided semen and urine samples, 2005-2009. Five UV filters were quantified (ng/mL) in urine using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry: BP-1 (2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone), BP-2 (2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone), BP-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone), BP-8 (2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone), and 4-OH-BP (4-hydroxybenzophenone). Using linear regression, β-coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each chemical dichotomized at the 75th percentile and Box-Cox transformed semen endpoint were estimated, after adjusting for age, body mass index, cotinine, season, and site.

Intervention(S):

None.

Main Outcome Measure(S):

Thirty-five semen endpoints.

Result(S):

BP-2 was associated with diminished sperm concentration (β = -0.74; 95% CI -1.41, -0.08), straight (β = -4.57; 95% CI -8.95, -0.18) and linear movement (β = -3.15; 95% CI -6.01, -0.30), more immature sperm (β = 0.38; 95% CI 0.15, 0.62), and a decreased percentage of other tail abnormalities (β = -0.16; 95% CI -0.31, -0.01). BP-8 was associated with decreased hypo-osmotic swelling (β = -2.57; 95% CI -4.86, -0.29) and higher acrosome area (β = 1.14; 95% CI 0.01, 2.26). No associations were observed for BP-1, BP-3, or 4OH-BP.

Conclusion(S):

The findings suggest that specific UV filters may be associated with some aspects of semen endpoints, but await future corroboration.

Keywords:

Benzophenones fecundity semen sperm sunscreens

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