Serum levels of phthalates and bisphenol-A in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency

Abstract

Objectives: Phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA) may pose a risk for human reproduction. Adverse effects of endocrine disturbing chemicals on animal ovaries have been proposed previously. This study was designed to measure the concentrations of phthalate diesters or their metabolites in serum to evaluate their relevance with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Methods: This study was designed as a cross sectional and case-control study. The study group consisted of 30 women diagnosed with POI whereas 30 healthy fertile women without any systemic diseases were recruited as a control group. The two groups were matched with respect to age and body mass index and tobacco smoking. Serum phthalate diesters and BPA levels were measured in both groups.

Results: The mean serum level of mono-buthyl phthalate (MBP) was statistically significantly higher in POI group than in control group (8.45 ± 4.2 vs. 5.0 ± 3.47 ng/mL, p < .001). Other serum phthalate metabolites and BPA concentrations were similar among the groups.

Conclusions: Serum levels of BPA and phthalate metabolites are increased in women diagnosed with POI. However, MBP is the most significant one among them. MBP may be a contributing risk factor in the development of POI.

摘要

目的：邻苯二甲酸酯和双酚A（BPA）可能对人类生殖健康造成危害。它们对于动物卵巢内分泌的不良影响已被证实。本研究旨在测定血清中邻苯二甲酸二酯或其代谢产物的浓度, 以评价其与原发性卵巢功能不全（POI）的相关性。

方法：采用横断面和病例对照研究方法。研究组为30名POI的女性, 对照组为30名无系统性疾病的健康育龄女性。两组在年龄、BMI和吸烟方面相匹配。测定两组患者的血清邻苯二甲酸酯和BPA水平。

结果：POI组血清中邻苯二甲酸单丁酯（MBP）水平显著高于对照组（8.45±4.2vs.5.0±3.47 ng/mL, P<0.001）。其他血清邻苯二甲酸酯代谢产物和BPA浓度在各组之间相似。

结论：POI患者血清BPA和邻苯二甲酸酯代谢产物水平升高。然而, MBP是其中最重要的一种。MBP可能是POI发生的危险因素。

The Chinese abstracts are translated by Prof. Dr. Xiangyan Ruan and her team: Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100026, China.

Keywords:

• Phthalates
• phthalic acid
• ovary
• female reproductive toxicology
• ovarian toxicology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).