Serum levels of perfluorinated compounds and sperm Y:X chromosome ratio in two European populations and in Inuit from Greenland

This study investigated whether perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), which exhibit reproductive toxicity in experimental animals, affect sperm sex chromosome ratio.The Y:X ratio was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Serum concentrations of PFOA and PFOS were measured in 607 men from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Data was analyzed by linear and nonlinear regression.We observed no associations between PFOA and Y:X ratio (p = 0.845 in a linear model, p = 0.296 in a nonlinear model). A positive nonlinear association between PFOS and Y:X ratio was observed (p = 0.016), with no association in a linear model (p = 0.118). Analyzing the populations separately, a negative trend between categorized PFOS exposure and Y:X ratio was observed for the Inuit (B = −0.002, p = 0.044).In conclusion, there was a negative trend between Y:X ratio and PFOS in the Inuit, while there was no association between PFOA and the Y:X ratio in adult men.

► Serum levels of PFOA and PFOS were related to sperm Y:X chromosome ratio.
► Proven fertile men from Poland, Ukraine and Greenland were included in the study.
► Categorized PFOS exposure and Y:X ratio showed a negative association in the Inuit.
► No associations between PFOA levels and Y:X chromosome ratio observed.
► Exposure to PFOS but not PFOA showed limited associations with Y:X chromosome ratio.