Urinary paracetamol and time-to-pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Reproductive health
• Environmental toxicology
• Human fertility studies

Background:

• Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a widely used analgesic.
• Paracetamol and its metabolite p-aminophenol are environmentally ubiquitous.
• Limited research exists on the association between urinary paracetamol concentrations and time-to-pregnancy (TTP).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between preconception urinary paracetamol levels and TTP in couples.
• To explore potential impacts of paracetamol exposure on male and female fecundity.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 501 couples trying to conceive.
• Quantification of urinary paracetamol and p-aminophenol using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS.
• Cox's proportional odds models adjusted for demographic and health factors.

Main Results:

• Higher urinary paracetamol concentrations in males were associated with a longer TTP (FOR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.45, 0.94).
• No significant associations were found for female urinary paracetamol or p-aminophenol levels.
• Urinary paracetamol concentrations were lower in partners who achieved pregnancy.

Conclusions:

• Elevated male urinary paracetamol levels may be associated with diminished fecundity.
• Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
• Results may have public health implications for reproductive-aged individuals.