Abstract
Background: Human exposure to environmentally widespread endocrine disruptors, especially bisphenol A (BPA), has been suggested to affect reproductive health. Animal studies indicate that BPA may play a role in the process of reproduction and impact on maturing oocytes, meiotic cell division or fertilization rate. Nevertheless, data regarding the effects of exposure to BPA on women’s ovarian function are still limited. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to assess the effects of environmental exposure to BPA on ovarian reserve. Methods: The study participants consisted of 511 women in reproductive age (25–39 years) who attended an infertility clinic for diagnosis, due to the couples’ infertility. BPA urinary concentrations were assessed by the validated gas chromatography ion-trap mass spectrometry method. The ovarian reserve was assessed using ovarian reserve parameters: Hormones concentrations: E2 (estradiol), FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone), and AFC (antral follicle count). Results: In the present study, the negative association between BPA urinary concentrations and AMH (p = 0.02) and AFC (p = 0.03) levels was found. Exposure to BPA was not related to other examined parameters of ovarian reserve (FSH, E2). Conclusions: Our results suggest that BPA exposure may affect women ovarian reserve parameters and reduce ovarian reserve. As this is one of the first studies of its kind, the findings need confirmation in a further investigation.
Highlights
Among environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely used types of chemicals in the world and has been used in plastic manufacturing for decades [1]
BPA is used in the production of polycarbonate plastic products and epoxy resins [2], it can be found in plastic bottles, food storage containers, food and beverage cans, water pipes, dental composites, etc
The aim of our study was to examine whether the environmental exposure to BPA affects women ovarian reserve parameters
Summary
Among environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely used types of chemicals in the world and has been used in plastic manufacturing for decades [1]. BPA is used in the production of polycarbonate plastic products and epoxy resins [2], it can be found in plastic bottles, food storage containers, food and beverage cans, water pipes, dental composites, etc. BPA is detectable in all human body fluids, tissues, and even in organs such as the placenta [3,4], even though the European Union has implemented national prohibitions of its use [5,6,7]. BPA has been added to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern [8,9,10].
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