Associations between urinary metabolites of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and reproductive hormones in fertile men
Abstract
Widely used man-made chemicals, including phthalates, can induce hormonal alterations through a variety of cellular and molecular mechanisms. A number of rodent and observational studies have consistently demonstrated the anti-androgenic effect of several phthalates. However, there are only limited data on the relationship between exposure to these chemicals and reproductive
hormone levels in men. All men (n = 425) were partners of pregnant women who participated in
the Study for Future Families in five US cities and provided urine and serum samples on the same
day. Eleven phthalate metabolites were measured in urine and serum samples were analysed for
reproductive hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, inhibin B and oestradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Pearson correlations and parametric tests were used for unadjusted analyses, and multiple linear regression analysis was performed controlling for appropriate covariates.
Citation
Int J Androl. 2011 August ; 34(4): 369-378.