Effects of Occupational Solvent Exposure on Reproductive Hormone Concentrations and Fecundability in Men

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bremner WJ ; Brodkin CA ; Bushley A ; Checkoway, Harvey ; Faustman EM ; Luderer U ; Stover BD ; Takaro TK ; Bremner WJ ; Brodkin CA ; Bushley A ; Checkoway, Harvey ; Faustman EM ; Luderer U ; Stover BD ; Takaro TK
• Description:
  BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effects of organic solvents on male reproductive health. To assess fertility and reproductive endocrine function in solvent-exposed men, we investigated time-to-pregnancy using a retrospective cohort design and cross-sectionally measured reproductive hormone concentrations in painters and millwrights compared to a reference group of carpenters. METHODS: Detailed occupational, exposure, medical, and time-to-pregnancy histories were obtained by telephone interview. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone concentrations were determined by immunoassay. Exposure indices, which summarized working life exposure to total solvents, chlorinated solvents, aromatic solvents, and thinners, degreasers, varnishes, and adhesives as a category were calculated from exposure histories. RESULTS: FSH concentrations increased significantly with increasing exposure indices for all solvents and for chlorinated solvents. There were no significant associations of solvent exposure indices with LH or testosterone levels. LH, FSH, and testosterone concentrations also did not differ by job title. Using Cox regression, time-to-pregnancy was non-significantly longer in the painters and millwrights than the carpenters. There was no significant association between time-to-pregnancy and any of the solvent exposure indices; however, it should be noted that some of the pregnancies occurred more than 20 years previously, potentially reducing the reliability of the retrospectively collected pregnancy and exposure data. CONCLUSIONS: The significant associations between FSH levels and solvent exposure indices suggest the potential for adverse effects of solvent exposures on reproductive function in men. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Blood Endocrine System Epidemiology Hematologic Tests Men Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Paint Safety Solvents Urogenital Diseases Urogenital System

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• Keywords:
  Blood Sampling Endocrine System Disorders Exposure Limits Fertility Hormones Occupational Exposure Organic Solvents Painters Reproductive Effects Reproductive System Disorders Statistical Analysis

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article ; Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 9 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health ; Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America ; North America
• Volume:
  46
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20029302
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2004 Dec; 46(6):614-626
• Contact Point Address:
  Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California 92617
• Email:
  uluderer@uci.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Butyl acetate (CAS RN 123-86-4) ; Methyl ethyl ketone (CAS RN 78-93-3) ; Octane (CAS RN 111-65-9) ; Stoddard solvent (CAS RN 8052-41-3) ; Toluene (CAS RN 108-88-3) ; Xylene (CAS RN 1330-20-7) ; Butyl acetate (CAS RN 123-86-4) ; Methyl ethyl ketone (CAS RN 78-93-3) ; Octane (CAS RN 111-65-9) ; Stoddard solvent (CAS RN 8052-41-3) ; Toluene (CAS RN 108-88-3) ; Xylene (CAS RN 1330-20-7)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2005
• NORA Priority Area:
  Disease and Injury: Fertility and Pregnancy Abnormalities ; Disease and Injury: Fertility and Pregnancy Abnormalities
• Performing Organization:
  University of Washington, Department of Environmental Health, Seattle, Washington
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19970930
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  19990929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:cecdfc313cf03317a9f86ce35e72eb2b551ad6d67ff819443b9e98366248041c4fa70c57661e77cf4b484b828c3fb2524c1443acd7d456ad78df72faf68b7d23
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/190321/cdc_190321_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 149.78 KB ]