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. 2006 Nov;114(11):1670-6.
doi: 10.1289/ehp.9224.

Serum dioxin-like activity is associated with reproductive parameters in young men from the general Flemish population

Willem Dhooge  1 , Nicolas van Larebeke, Gudrun Koppen, Vera Nelen, Greet Schoeters, Robert Vlietinck, Jean-Marc Kaufman, Frank Comhaire; Flemish Environment and Health Study Group
Affiliations

Serum dioxin-like activity is associated with reproductive parameters in young men from the general Flemish population

Willem Dhooge et al. Environ Health Perspect. 2006 Nov.

Abstract

Background: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and some related environmental contaminants are aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands that exert reproductive and developmental toxicity in laboratory animals. In humans, fertility-related effects are less documented.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dioxin-like biological activity in serum and parameters of reproductive status in men from the general population 5 months after a polychlorinated biphenyl and dioxin food-contamination episode in Belgium.

Design: In the framework of the cross-sectional Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS), we recruited 101 men 20-40 years of age and evaluated sperm parameters, measured sex hormones, and gathered information on a number of lifestyle factors. In addition, we determined the AhR-mediated enzymatic response elicited by individual serum samples and expressed it as TCDD equivalent concentrations (CALUX-TEQs) using an established transactivation assay.

Results: Age (p = 0.04) and the frequency of fish (p = 0.02) and egg (p = 0.001) consumption were independent positive determinants of serum dioxin-like activity. After correcting for possible confounders, we found that a 2-fold increase in CALUX-TEQ > 16 pg/L was associated with a 7.1% and 6.8% (both p = 0.04) decrease in total and free testosterone, respectively. We also observed a more pronounced drop in semen volume of 16.0% (p = 0.03), whereas sperm concentration rose by 25.2% (p = 0.07). No relationship was found with total sperm count or sperm morphology.

Conclusions: These data suggest an interaction of dioxin-like compounds with the secretory function of the seminal vesicles or prostate, possibly indirectly through an effect on testosterone secretion, at levels not affecting spermatogenesis as such.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Association between CALUX-TEQs > 16 pg/L (n = 90) and (A) semen volume (r = −0.28, p < 0.01) or (B) testosterone (r = −0.24, p = 0.02).
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