Environmental hexachlorobenzene exposure and human male reproductive function

Abstract

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a persistent environmental fungicide that may disrupt androgen regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between HCB levels and biomarkers of male reproductive function. 589 Spouses of pregnant women from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine were enrolled between 2002 and 2004. The men provided semen and blood samples and were interviewed. HCB was measured in serum by gas chromatography. The mean serum concentrations of HCB were higher in Ukraine (182.3 ng/g lipid) and Greenland (79.0 ng/g lipid) compared to Poland (14.2 ng/g lipid). Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and free androgen index (FAI) were associated with HCB in men from Ukraine and Poland. This study spanning large differences in environmental HCB exposure levels shows a positive association for SHBG and negative association for FAI with high serum levels of HCB in fertile men, but without major consequences for semen quality and the Inuit study population.

Abbreviations
HCB, hexachlorobenzene;
SHBG, sex hormone-binding globulin;
FAI, free androgen index;
LH, luteinizing hormone;
SCSA, sperm chromatin structure assay;
FSH, follicle stimulation hormone;
DFI, DNA fragmentation index;
FCM, flow cytometry;
LOD, lower limits of detection;
BMI, body mass index;
CV, coefficients of variation;
WHO, World Health Organization;
PCB, polychlorinated biphenyl;
DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane

Keywords
Hexachlorobenzene;
Endocrine disrupter;
Fertility;
Reproduction;
Antiandrogen;
Reproductive hormones




Corresponding author at: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. Fax: +45 3531 6070.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.