Bisphenol-A (BPA) Associated with Poor Sperm Quality

Yet another study documenting the endocrine-disrupting effects of Bisphenol-A, this time in Chinese males with and without occupational BPA exposure –

Urine bisphenol-A (BPA) level in relation to semen quality.
Li DK, Zhou Z, Miao M, He Y, Wang J, Ferber J, Herrinton LJ, Gao E, Yuan W.

RESULT(S): After adjustment for potential confounders using linear regression, increasing urine BPA level was statistically significantly associated with [1] decreased sperm concentration, [2] decreased total sperm count, [3] decreased sperm vitality, and [4] decreased sperm motility. Compared with men who did not have detectable urine BPA levels, those with detectable urine BPA had more than three times the risk of lowered sperm concentration and lower sperm vitality, more than four times the risk of lower sperm count, and more than twice the risk of lower sperm motility. The urine BPA level was not associated with semen volume or abnormal sperm morphology. Similar dose-response associations were observed among men with environmental BPA exposure at levels comparable with those in the U.S population. Despite a markedly reduced sample size, the inverse correlation between increased urine BPA levels and decreased sperm concentration and total sperm count remained statistically significant.

CONCLUSION(S): These results provide the first epidemiologic evidence of an adverse effect of BPA on semen quality.

That bolded sentence there in the results section is the kicker.

Bisphenol-A exposure is not just an issue in men with occupational exposure – its impact can be seen in men with urinary BPA levels similar to those found in the US population. (something that the American Chemical Council seems to have conveniently ignored in its press release response to the study…)

The more research I read on Bisphenol-A, much of it in the reproductive health literature, the more I become convinced that the potential harms from use of this synthetic plastic additive are real.

Here’s advice from the NIH on reducing your BPA exposure

Don’t microwave polycarbonate plastic food containers. Polycarbonate is strong and durable, but over time it may break down from over use at high temperatures.

Polycarbonate containers that contain BPA usually have a #7 on the bottom

Reduce your use of canned foods.

When possible, opt for glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers, particularly for hot food or liquids.

Use baby bottles that are BPA free

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This research was published in this month’s Fertility and Sterility. On line version of the data was released in October and covered somewhat in the media at that time.