Semen quality and sperm DNA damage in relation to urinary bisphenol A among men from an infertility clinic

Bisphenol A (BPA) impairs spermatogenesis in animals but human studies are lacking We measured urinary BPA concentrations semen quality and sperm DNA damage (comet assay) in 190 men recruited through an infertility clinic BPA was detected in 89% of samples with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) concentration of 1 3 (0 8-2 5) ng/mL Urinary BPA concentration was associated with slightly elevated though not statistically significant odds for below reference sperm concentration motility and morphology When modeled as continuous dependent variables an IQR increase in urinary BPA concentration was associated with declines in sperm concentration motility and morphology of 23% (95%CI -40% -0 3%) 7 5% (-17% +1 5%) and 13% (-26% -0 1%) respectively along with a 10% (0 03% 19%) increase in sperm DNA damage measured as the percentage of DNA in comet tail In conclusion urinary BPA may be associated with declined semen quality and increased sperm DNA damage but confirmatory studies are needed (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved