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Polychlorobiphenyl congeners,p,p′-DDE, and sperm function in humans

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Abstract

170 seminal samples from fertile men, men with idiopathic oligospermia or azoospermia and men status post vasectomy were analyzed for 74 polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) congeners,p,p′-DDE, mirex, and hexachlorobenzene using the technique of glass capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Low concentrations of 32 PCB congeners were measured (mean total PCB residue of 5.8 ng/g wet weight). The application of multiple linear regression analysis to the data is described and the result is critically evaluated. There is a correlation between sperm motility and count. There are indications that the concentrations of three PCB congeners (2,4,5,2′4′5′- and 2,4,5,2′3′4′-hexachlorobiphenyl and 2,4,5,3′4′-pentachlorobiphenyl) are inversely correlated with sperm motility index in samples with a sperm count less than 20 million cells/ml. The implications of the discerned associations are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research, 12201, Albany, New York

    Brian Bush

  2. Albany Medical College, Union University, New Scotland Avenue, 12208, Albany, New York

    Alan H. Bennett

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  1. Brian Bush
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  2. Alan H. Bennett
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  3. John T. Snow
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Bush, B., Bennett, A.H. & Snow, J.T. Polychlorobiphenyl congeners,p,p′-DDE, and sperm function in humans. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 15, 333–341 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066399

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066399

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