Dibromochloropropane (DBCP): a 17-year reassessment of testicular function and reproductive performance

The current study summarizes a 17-year reevaluation of testicular function and reproductive performance of 15 production workers with dibromochloropropane (DBCP)-induced testicular dysfunction. Sperm count recovery was evident within 36 to 45 months in three of the nine azoospermic and in three of the six oligozoospermic men with no improvement thereafter. A significant increase in plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and a nonsignificant decrease in testosterone level were detected in the severely affected individuals. There was no increase in the rate of spontaneous abortions and congenital malformations among pregnancies conceived during or after exposure. A low prevalence of male infants conceived during paternal exposure was found as compared with the preexposure period (16.6% versus 52.9%; P<.025). Restoration of fertility was followed by a gradual increase of this value to 41.4%.