Male exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and semen quality in the Home Observation of Periconceptional Exposures (HOPE) cohort.

BACKGROUND:Exposure to bis-phenol A (BPA) has been associated with reduced semen quality. The objective of this study was to examine associations between BPA measured in serial daily first-morning urine samples and semen quality parameters among men trying to conceive. METHODS:This prospective, preconception cohort included 161 men ages 18-40 without known subfertility. Men collected daily, first morning urine during their female partner's fertile window. Semen samples were collected through intercourse after the fertile window. RESULTS:Samples from 161 men were analyzed. Higher geometric mean (GM) BPA exposures (ng/mL) were found among men with abnormal sperm tail morphology (GM = 3.12, 95% CI = 2.43, 4.01) compared to men with normal morphologic findings (GM = 2.39, 95% CI = 2.17, 2.74). There was no association with sperm count. CONCLUSION:Higher exposure to BPA was associated with abnormal sperm tail morphology in this prospective, pre-conception cohort.