Relationship between daily exposure to bisphenol A and male sexual function-a study from the reproductive center / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the relationship between male sexual function and daily exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) at a reproductive center in Taiyuan. Methods: Male patients who were seeking treatment of infertility due to problems caused by either of the spouse were selected from the Shanxi reproductive center between September 2014 and April 2015. Information on general characteristics, sexual function and fasting venous blood samples were collected. Total scores of sexual function were evaluated by Delphi expert scoring method. Levels of serum BPA were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Data was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation, rank sum test, multivariate logistic regression analysis and χ(2) trend test. Relationship between BPA and sexual function was presented as OR and corresponding 95%CI. Results: Among the 353 participants, 45.0% was defined as sexual dysfunction with low sexual desire (47.3%) as the major reason. BPA was detected in all the 353 patients, with a range of concentration as 0.38-21.93 ng/ml and an average as 5.79 ng/ml. Results from the Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between serum BPA and sexual function, sexual desire, erectile ability and ejaculation intensity, while serum BPA was positively correlated with premature ejaculation. According to the four percentile of BPA concentration (ng/ml), the subjects were divided into four groups. Compared with the low concentration group (0.38-3.79 ng/ml), the risk of sexual dysfunction significantly increased in the groups with higher BPA levels. Particularly, in the highest BPA group (8.68-21.93 ng/ml), more obvious effects were seen on sexual dysfunction (OR=1.55, 95%CI1.00-3.23), reduced sexual desire (OR=4.75, 95%CI 2.44-9.22), reduced erection ability (OR=2.40, 95%CI 1.18-4.88), reduced ejaculation intensity (OR=2.53, 95%CI 1.25-5.16) and premature ejaculation (OR=1.95, 95%CI 1.02-3.72). Conclusion: Low sexual desire appeared as the main type of male sexual dysfunction, the exposure to higher levels of BPA in daily life might lead to male sexual dysfunction.