The Correlation of Urine Bisphenol A with Semen Parameters in Men Referred to Infertility Centers: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) is known as an endocrine disruptor that has harmful effects on general health. It is commonly used in various industrial products. In this study we tried to evaluate the amount of BPA in urine samples of the men referred to an infertility center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study population consisted of male partners of infertile couples, who were referred to infertility clinic in Mazandaran, a northern state of Iran. Questionnaires included demographic characteristics, medical history, lifestyle factors, physical examinations. A semen sample and a spot urine sample were taken from each participant. In the initial study group of 240 men, 3 groups were excluded, and 122 men remained for the analysis. Highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to measure the amount of BPA in the urine samples. RESULTS: BPA was not detected in about half of the samples (53.3%). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that no significant relationship existed between the urine concentrations of BPA, semen parameters and male reproductive hormones. However, in a comparison with semen parameters in people with detectable urine BPA versus nondetectable ones, an inverse association was noticed with sperm concentration. In other parameters, differences were not significant. Smoking had no effects on sperm parameters, but body mass index (BMI) ≥25 reduced the percentage of normal sperm parameters. CONCLUSION: In most participants, urinary BPA was not detected. Probably in this study low environmental exposure to BPA is the cause of lower urine BPA concentrations compared to other industrially developed countries. Therefore, no overall relationship was observed between BPA level and male infertility.