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Distribution of persistent organochlorine contaminants in infertile patients from Tanzania and Germany

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Abstract

Purpose: To test whether environmental pollutants could affect fertility in humans.

Methods: 31 women and 16 men from Tanzania and 21 couples from Germany were included (n=89). Pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were measured in serum, follicular fluid or seminal plasma by gaschromatography and related to sperm quality and pregnancy rates.

Results: Higher concentrations of DDT+DDE and dieldrin in Tanzania and higher concentrations of PCBs in Germany and in men were detected. All compounds showed higher concentrations in serum and lowest concentrations in seminal plasma. A lower pregnancy rate in German women with high serum concentrations of DDT+DDE was observed. The toxins had no impact on sperm quality.

Conclusions: The distribution of toxins between agricultural and industrial countries is different. Seminal plasma seems to be inert against chemicals. In patients with high serum concentrations of DDT and DDE pregnancy rates were impaired.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinic Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538, Luebeck, Germany

    Jürgen M. Weiss, Otmar Bauer, Annika K. Ludwig, Elke Vollersen, Safaa Al-Hasani & Klaus Diedrich

  2. Bundesanstalt für Milchforschung, Postfach 6069, D-24121, Kiel, Germany

    Albrecht Blüthgen

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Muhimbili Medical Center, University of Dar-es-Salaam, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

    Malise Kaisi

  4. Endokrinologikum Hamburg, Lornsenstraße 4-6, 22767, Hamburg, Germany

    Michael Ludwig

Authors
  1. Jürgen M. Weiss
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  2. Otmar Bauer
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  3. Albrecht Blüthgen
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  4. Annika K. Ludwig
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  8. Klaus Diedrich
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  9. Michael Ludwig
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jürgen M. Weiss.

Additional information

Prof. Dr. O. Bauer died at 12/3/2000 in an aeroplane crash. He gave the initial impetus to this project and set up all the necessary organisation. We dedicate this paper to his memory.

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Weiss, J.M., Bauer, O., Blüthgen, A. et al. Distribution of persistent organochlorine contaminants in infertile patients from Tanzania and Germany. J Assist Reprod Genet 23, 393–399 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-006-9069-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-006-9069-6

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