Impact of PCB and p,p′-DDE Contaminants on Human Sperm Y:X Chromosome Ratio: Studies in Three European Populations and the Inuit Population in Greenland

2006

Impact of PCB and p,p′-DDE Contaminants on Human Sperm Y:X Chromosome Ratio

Sample size: 547 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Tiido Tarmo, Rignell-Hydbom Anna, Jönsson Bo A.G., Giwercman Yvonne Lundberg, Pedersen Henning S., Wojtyniak Bogdan, Ludwicki Jan K., Lesovoy Vladimir, Zvyezday Valentyna, Spano Marcello, Manicardi Gian-Carlo, Bizzaro Davide, Bonefeld-Jørgensen Eva C., Toft Gunnar, Bonde Jens Peter, Rylander Lars, Hagmar Lars, Giwercman Aleksander

Primary Institution: Molecular Reproductive Medicine Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Fertility Centre, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden

Hypothesis

Does exposure to PCB-153 and p,p′-DDE affect sperm Y:X chromosome distribution?

Conclusion

The study suggests that exposure to persistent organohalogen pollutants may influence the proportion of Y-bearing sperm in human populations.

Supporting Evidence

Swedish and Greenlandic men had higher proportions of Y sperm compared to men from Warsaw and Kharkiv.
In the Swedish cohort, PCB-153 and p,p′-DDE were positively associated with Y-chromosome fractions.
In the Polish cohort, PCB-153 correlated negatively with the proportion of Y-bearing sperm.

Takeaway

This study looked at how certain chemicals in the environment might change the number of boy sperm compared to girl sperm in men from different countries.

Methodology

Semen and blood samples were collected from men in four countries, and the proportion of Y- and X-chromosome–bearing sperm was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization.