Among the possible risk factors for male reproduction, exposure to phthalates and alkylphenols is widely documented. This study evaluated the possible association between chemical exposure and the quality of the seminal fluid of 105 subjects in a fertility clinic. The urinary levels of seven phthalate metabolites (monoethylphthalate, MEP; monobenzylphthalate, MBzP; mono n-butylphthalate, MnBP; mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, MEHP; mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, MEHHP; mono-n-octylphthalate, MnOP; mono-isononylphthalate, MiNP) and bisphenol A (BPA), were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry HPLC/MS/MS. The regression analysis showed that the semen volume was positively associated with MnBP, MnOP and BPA levels while was negatively associated with MiNP levels. The sperm concentration had a significant inverse relationship with MEP levels. A negative association was found between the use of plastic containers for food storage (p = 0.037) and semen volume (3.06 vs. 2.30 mL as average values, never vs daily). A significant positive correlation emerged (p < 0.005) between the consumption of canned food and the levels of BPA (2.81 vs. 0.14 µg/g creat as average values, daily vs. never) and between the use of perfumes and levels of MEP (389.86 vs. 48.68 µg/g creat, as average values, daily vs. never). No further statistically significant associations were found, even considering the working activity. Some evidence emerged about the possible link between exposure and seminal fluid quality: further case/control or prospective studies will allow us to confirm this causality hypothesis.

The xenoestrogenicity of some plasticisers (phthalates and bisphenol A) is documented in the literature and may pose a risk to female reproductive health. The aim of this study was to assess exposure to six phthalates. This was achieved by measuring their respective metabolites (mono-ethylphthalate (MEP); mono-n-butylphthalate (MnBP); mono-n-ottylphthalate (MnOP); and monobenzylphthalate (MBzP)), as well as the sum of two of the diethyl-hexyl phthalate metabolites-(∑DEHP) and bisphenol A (BPA) in a female population with infertility problems, and by conducting a correlation analysis between infertility factors, work activities, and lifestyle habits, in order to formulate a causal hypothesis. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out and women under 43 years of age were recruited from an assisted reproduction technology (ART) center; the sample of 186 women was given a specific questionnaire and a spot urine sample was collected. Phthalate metabolites and urinary BPA were analyzed by HPLC/MS/MS. The results showed significantly higher mean values for MEP in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) (820.5 ± 1929.5 µg/g of creatinine) and idiopathic infertility (230.0 ± 794.2 µg/g of creatinine) than in women with other infertility factors (76.9 ± 171.8 µg/g of creatinine). Similarly, for MnOP levels, women with idiopathic infertility (2.95 ± 3.44 µg/g of creatinine) showed significantly higher values than women with the other infertility factors taken together (1.35 ± 2.05 µg/g of creatinine). Women with tubal factors of infertility, RPL, and endocrine dysfunctions show higher values of DEHP (p = 0.032). Considering occupations, women working in commerce showed more than twice as much urinary BPA levels (1.10 ± 0.48 µg/g of creatinine) compared to women working in other industries (0.45 ± 0.35 µg/g of creatinine). The presence of significantly higher values of certain phthalates, DEHP in particular, especially in women with RPL and idiopathic infertility, suggests a possible involvement of these compounds as competing factors in reproductive issues. The study of sources of exposure suggested that the working activity in trade, as a casher in particular, represents a major one for BPA (p = 0.015).