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Sperm Mitochondrial Copy Number and Associations with Oxidative Stress and Phthalate Metabolites in Male Partners Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technologies

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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Phthalates, a chemical class of plasticizers, are ubiquitous in the environment and recognized as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). Recent data suggest that oxidative stress is a potential mediator of poor male reproductive health associated with phthalate exposure. Mitochondria are implicated in the production of excess oxidative stress and sperm mitochondrial copy number (MtCopy) and deletions (MtDeletion) have been linked with male infertility. However, little is known about the relationship of these mitochondrial biomarkers in sperm with phthalate exposure and oxidative stress. OBJECTIVES To examine associations of urinary phthalate metabolites and isoprostane concentrations on sperm MtCopy and MtDeletions in male partners undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART). METHODS A total of (n=97) sperm samples were collected from male partners undergoing ART at Baystate Medical Center, in Springfield, MA from 2014 to 2016 as part of the Sperm Environmental Epigenetics and Development Study (SEEDS). Seventeen urinary phthalate metabolites (n=103) were analyzed by the Centers for Disease Control using tandem mass spectrometry. 15-F2t-Isoprostane (n=101) was measured using a competitive enzyme-linked immonsorbent assay in urine of male individuals. A triplex Taqman probe-based qPCR method was developed for relative quantification of genomic DNA, MtCopy and MtDeletions. Multivariable linear or logistic regression was employed to examine associations with age, BMI, batch and current smoking status with each outcome to determine confounders used for adjustment. RESULTS Quartiles of MtCopy and MtDeletion were positively associated with the odds of male infertility (p for trend < .0001 and 0.007, respectively). Urinary metabolite concentrations of MCNP displayed a positive association with MtCopy (β=1.56; p =0.03). Urinary MEHP concentrations were positively associated with MtDeletion in only infertile individuals (n=30) (β = 0.075; p = 0.006). Urinary isoprostane concentration was not associated with MtCopy or MtDeletion, but was associated with seven phthalate metabolite concentrations (MEOHP, MEHHP, MBzP, MHBP, MiBP, and MHiBP). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the relationship between sperm MtCopy and MtDeletion with oxidative stress and phthalates. These results suggest that certain phthalate metabolites may be associated with a known biomarker of systemic oxidative stress. Sperm mitochondrial function as measured by MtCopy and MtDeletion may be considered biomarkers of male infertility, although no relationship was shown between mitochondrial outcomes and oxidative stress. Future research is investigating these relationships with developmental outcomes including embryo quality.
Type
Thesis (Open Access)
Date
2017-05
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