What environmental factors contribute to infertility?

From the Guidelines

Exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), has been linked to infertility in both males and females 1. Prolonged exposure to pesticides, including organophosphates and pyrethroids, at doses as low as 0.1 parts per million (ppm) for 30 days or more, has also been shown to impair reproductive function 1. Additionally, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as phthalates, found in plastics and personal care products, have been associated with reduced fertility when exposure exceeds 10 micrograms per kilogram per day (μg/kg/day) for 60 days or more 1.

Key Environmental Factors Contributing to Infertility

• Bisphenol A (BPA): linked to infertility in both males and females 1
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): linked to infertility in both males and females 1
• Pesticides: prolonged exposure to organophosphates and pyrethroids impairs reproductive function 1
• Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: phthalates reduce fertility when exposure exceeds 10 μg/kg/day for 60 days or more 1
• Power-frequency magnetic fields: potential risk factor for infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes, although evidence is limited and inconclusive 1

Study Designs and Recommendations

Studies have investigated the relationship between magnetic field exposure and miscarriage, with some suggesting a potential link 1. However, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between environmental toxins and infertility. Recommendations for future studies include:

• Selecting the appropriate study population, such as women enrolled in infertility clinics 1
• Addressing confounding due to unmeasured physical activity 1
• Minimizing information bias from exposure measurement error 1
• Considering alternative magnetic field exposure metrics 1
• Implications and applications of personal exposure data that is correlated within female-male couples 1

From the Research

Environmental Factors Contributing to Infertility

• Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as phthalates, bisphenol A, pesticides, and environmental contaminants like polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins, can negatively affect both male and female reproduction 2
• These chemicals are found in plastics, personal care products, and pesticides, and can cause transgenerational effects on reproduction in both males and females 2
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been shown to accumulate in organisms through the food chain and can act as disruptive endocrine, causing infertility and other hormone-regulated disorders 3
• Bisphenol A (BPA) has been linked to infertility and recurrent miscarriage in women, and can impair progesterone receptor-mediated signaling in the uterus during early pregnancy 4
• Estrogen-mimicking endocrine disruptors, such as PCBs, BPA, and phthalates, have been found to interfere with endocrine control of reproductive function and development in both humans and wildlife 5
• Epigenetic modifications can be caused by exposure to environmental factors like BPA, which can disrupt endocrine function and have adverse effects on female reproduction 6

Specific Chemicals and Their Effects

• Phthalates: can interfere with normal reproductive function and hormone signaling 2
• Bisphenol A (BPA): can impair progesterone receptor-mediated signaling in the uterus during early pregnancy, and has been linked to infertility and recurrent miscarriage in women 4, 6
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): can act as disruptive endocrine, causing infertility and other hormone-regulated disorders, and have been shown to accumulate in organisms through the food chain 3
• Pesticides: can interfere with normal reproductive function and hormone signaling 2
• Dioxins: can interfere with normal reproductive function and hormone signaling 2

Exposure Routes

• Food chain: PCBs can accumulate in organisms through the food chain 3
• Plastics: BPA and phthalates can be found in plastics 2, 4
• Personal care products: phthalates and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals can be found in personal care products 2
• Pesticides: exposure to pesticides can occur through occupational or environmental exposure 2