Determination of organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl levels in adipose tissue of infertile men

Abstract

During the recent two decades, a remarkable drop in fertility rates has been noticed almost all over the world. A series of studies have showed that environmental factors had the primary role causing the observed adverse trends in the male reproductive health problems. Especially chlorinated hydrocarbons, for instance polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and pesticides, could mimic or antagonize the effects of steroid hormones, like estrogens and androgens and possibly interfering with male reproductive capacity. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) (i.e. p.p'-DDT, endosulfan...) and PCBs are widespread used chemicals in agriculture and industry for different purposes all over the world. Although direct evidence is lacking, theoretical considerations and epidemiological evidence implicate these compounds as potential hazards to human and wildlife reproductive health. For this purpose, in this study adipose tissue samples have provided from healthy males which were diagnosed as infertile men living in Ankara, Turkey at least for 5 years. Residual levels of OCPs (alpha-BHC, beta-BHC, gamma-BHC, HCB, Endosulfan I, II, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDT) and seven major persistent PCB congeners (PCB 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180) were measured in 25 infertile men and 21 healthy men's adipose tissue samples by GC-ECD. Levels of OCPs and PCBs in adipose tissue of infertile men compared with those provided from controls. When the concentrations of each of the OCP were compared between the fertile and infertile groups, no statistical significance was obtained. Concentrations of each of the PCB congeners were compared between the fertile and infertile groups, no statistical significance was obtained (p > 0.05), except for 2,2',5,5'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 52) (p = 0.032) and 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl (PCB 180) (p = 0.017).

Endocrine Disruptors Acting on Estrogen and Androgen Pathways Cause Reproductive Disorders through Multiple Mechanisms: A Review

“…Animal studies have also shown similar effects of PCBs on sperm motility and number [89]. High levels of PCB 52 and PCB 180 were found in the adipose tissue of fertile and infertile men, suggesting their participation in the disease [90]. Maternal exposure to PCBs can also cause a wide range of developmental and reproductive disorders in male newborns, such as cryptorchidism (undescended testes) and hypospadias [91].…”

Validation of Determination by Icp-Oes Method of Mercury Residual Levels in Meat of Canned Fish Sold in Turkey

“…Almost all of the methylciva in the food passes into the blood. Nervous system, brain damage and kidneys on the heavy damage, recurrent miscarriage, nervous system development disorders in children, has been determined by studies that cause stillbirths [18].…”

Ambient Air Exposure to PCBs: Regulation and Monitoring at Five Contaminated Sites in EPA Regions 1, 2, 4, and 5

“…7 Exposure to PCBs is of public health relevance because animal and human studies have demonstrated their cancer and non-cancer effects. Chronic exposure to PCBs at lower doses negatively impacts the nervous, immune, and reproductive systems, and human studies have shown effects on memory, learning, IQ, and motor function in children, 18–21 fertility in adults, 22,23 and immune system suppression in children and adults. 24–26 Animal studies have demonstrated cancers of the liver, thyroid, and immune system, 27–29 and occupational studies have found associations with liver and biliary tract cancers.…”