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Monday, August 8, 2011

For Men: Information For Future Fathers

2011: New research says chemicals released from some plastics may be harming human reproduction

By Melanie Hundley
A new research article appeared in the June 2011 issue of Human & Experimental Toxicology that may be of interest to men who want to be fathers.  A group of researchers, Pant et al, in New Delhi analyzed the “environmental and experimental exposure of phthalate esters” to human sperm.  In this review, we will learn more about phthalates (THAL-ates), look at their study, and see their results.

What Are Phthalates?
According to Pant and the research team, phthalates are chemical additives that may be used to increase flexibility in some manufactured plastics.  Phthalates are believed to be released from some
plastics into the air or into the contents they hold.  As a result, a level of phthalates may be detected in some “food, air, water, soil, cosmetics, automobile interiors, pharmaceutical products, and medical devices.”  The team also cited prior research that asserts certain phthalates interfere with reproductive development, decreased sperm count, and a list of other reproductive-related conditions. 


The New Delhi Study

Do male patients who exhibit certain reproductive conditions also show any phthalate levels in their sperm emissions?  The team tested patient sperm samples for the presence of phthalates.


Is phthalate considered toxic to a viable sperm cell?  Pant et al also exposed human sperm samples to various concentrations of phthalates in the lab to observe the cells’ response. 

Results of Existing Phthalate Level Tests

The team reported that sperm samples were obtained from 180 healthy human males, ages 21-40.  They noted that the men had been selected from a pool of patients who were also being assessed for reproductive health issues.  The group of men were categorized based on existing diagnoses:
From these men, sperm samples were tested for existing phthalate levels. For the 180 participants, the researchers report the infertile sperm samples contained:
  • Phthalate (DBP) in over 80%, and
  • Phthalate (DEHP) in over 84%.
Overall, Pant et al report the maximum DEHP was detected in the men with low sperm count (5.73 micrograms per milliliter), followed by those with low sperm motility (5.26 micrograms per milliliter).  The least phthalate levels were detected in the fertile men (0.77 micrograms per milliliter). The DBP results provided somewhat similar trends.  

The researchers did suggest there could have been other physical conditions that caused or contributed to the reproductive issues. 

Results of Phthalate Toxicity Tests

According to their outline, the laboratory steps also involved the preparation of test solutions for two types of phthalates or phthalate esters, DEHP and DBP, which were then applied to sperm samples in varying concentrations.  They observed the dosed sperm for motility and viability after certain time increments.

Pant et al reported a “dose dependent decrease in sperm motility after 12 hours exposure” to phthalates as well as a dose-duration impact to cell viability.  They assert that when they observed over time and with increasing concentration levels, the phthalates tested did appear to be toxic to human sperm cells.

Based on these results, the researchers lead us to believe there is a possible relationship between phthalates and reproductive health for men.  

Disclaimer: This is an editorial review only, written by a non-medical author, and is subject to change or update.  The information and links contained in this article are for educational purposes only to support further inquiry and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a licensed medical doctor for advice.  While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, readers should always refer to the original cited sources for verification and/or any interpretation of source material. Author assumes no liability for content, errors, and/or omissions.  

Sources

  • Canadian Cancer Society. (2010, August 20). Other possible sources of phthalates.  Retrieved August 8, 2011, from organization website.
  • Farlex. (2011). Asthenospermia. Retrieved August 8, 2011, from TheFreeDictionary.com website.
  • Farlex. (2011). Oligoasthenospermia. Retrieved August 8, 2011, from TheFreeDictionary.com website.
  • Masters, C. (2007, September 24). How fresh is air freshener? Time Health. Retrieved August 8, 2011, from corporate website.
  • MedicineNet.com. (2002). Definition of DEHP.  Retrieved August 8, 2011, from corporate website.
  • Pant, N. N., Pant, A. B., Shukla, M. M., Mathur, N. N., Gupta, Y. K., & Saxena, D. K. (2011). Environmental and experimental exposure of phthalate esters: The toxicological consequence on human sperm. Human & Experimental Toxicology, 30(6), 507-514. Retrieved August 8, 2011, from EBSCOhost online database.  DOI: 10.1177/0960327110374205.
  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.  (2011, February 28).  National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals.  Retrieved August 8, 2011, from government website.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  (2007, November). Dibutyl Phthalate. Retrieved August 8, 2011, from government website.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  (2011, April 13). Phthalates Action Plan Summary. Retrieved August 8, 2011, from government website.
Additional articles on food safety by Melanie Hundley include:  New Research:  Food Safety Is Studied Worldwide.




Several other sources of additional information on phthalates may be found on the following websites:


Article Copyright 2011 by Melanie Hundley, U.S.A.  All Rights Reserved. No claim is made to other copyright materials cited.
Photo credit: mrpuen.



For more information, consider:
Klean Kanteen 12 oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Sport Cap 2.0 - Ocean Blue How to Make Love to a Plastic Cup: A Guy's Guide to the World of InfertilityInfertility in the MaleMale Infertility: A Clinical Guide (Cambridge Clinical Guides)Budgeting for Infertility: How to Bring Home a Baby Without Breaking the Bank

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