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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Polybrominated diphenyl ether exposure and reproductive hormones in North American men
Colleen M Makey1, Michael D McClean1, Lewis E Braverman2
1Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
Background:
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardant chemicals that are persistent organic pollutants. Animal experiments and some human studies indicate that PBDEs may adversely affect male reproductive function.
Objectives:
To assess the association between PBDE exposure and reproductive hormones (RHs) in a North American male adult cohort.
Methods:
From 2010-11, we collected three serum samples from 27 healthy adult men. We assessed associations between PBDEs and RHs using mixed effect regression models.
Results:
PBDEs were inversely associated with inhibin-B. In older men, increased concentrations of BDE-47 and BDE-100 were significantly associated with a decrease in inhibin-B, and an increase in follicular stimulating hormone (FSH).
Conclusions:
These findings suggest PBDE exposure may affect RHs in older men. We did not measure other parameters of male reproductive function and therefore these results are preliminary.
