Effect of bisphenol A on semen quality of exposed workers: a pilot study

Abstract

To explore the semen quality of the workers exposed to the xenoestrogen bisphenol A (BPA) was explored. A cross-sectional study of 20 BPA exposed and 16 control workers with similar age, physical activities was performed. Tests included quantifying BPA in blood samples and investigating the quantity and quality of semen. Semen parameters were determined with the method recommended by WHO. 94.4% exposed workers were found BPA in blood, and the median was 101.94 microg/L. However, only 18.8% control subjects were found BPA in blood, and the median level was 0 microg/L. The sperm density of exposed workers [(68.65 +/- 44.00) x 10(6)/ml] was significantly lower than that of control [(118.56 +/- 98.36) x 10(6)/ml]. Relationship analysis showed the positive relationships (r = 0.44, P < 0.01) between the sperm with quick forward progression and BPA level in blood, negative relationships between the percentage of normal sperm and BPA level in blood (r = -0.62, P = 0.01). BPA could affect the sperm density, and may influence the semen quality. More research should be performed on the effect and the mechanism of BPA on man.