Serum unconjugated bisphenol A concentrations in men may influence embryo quality indicators during in vitro fertilization

Here we assess bisphenol A (BPA) in couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and indicators of embryo quality; embryo cell number (ECN) and embryo fragmentation score (EFS). Twenty-seven couples provided serum on the day of oocyte retrieval. Unconjugated BPA was measured by HPLC with Coularray detection. Odds ratios (OR) were generated using ordinal logistic regression including female and male BPA concentrations, age and race, and day of embryo transfer for ECN. Inverse associations are suggested for male BPA with ECN (OR = 0.70, P = 0.069), and EFS (OR = 0.54, P = 0.009), but not for women. Male BPA exposure may affect embryo quality during IVF.

► Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plastic monomer with estrogenic and aneugenic properties. ► We measured serum unconjugated BPA in couples receiving in vitro fertilization (IVF). ► Male, but not female BPA concentration was associated with embryo quality indicators. ► BPA exposure in the male partner of couples undergoing IVF may affect embryo quality.