Human urinary phthalate metabolites level and main semen parameters, sperm chromatin structure, sperm aneuploidy and reproductive hormones

•Urinary phthalate metabolites levels are significantly related to poorer semen quality.•Urinary phthalate metabolites levels are significantly negatively associated with percentage of motile sperm cells.•Urinary phthalate metabolites levels decrease CASA parameters (VSL, VCL).•A positive relationship was found between the urinary phthalate metabolites level and sperm aneuploidy.

The aim of the study was to assess the association of phthalate metabolites levels in urine with semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility, morphology, CASA parameters), sperm chromatin structure, sperm aneuploidy and reproductive hormones. The study population consisted of 269 men who were attending an infertility clinic and had normal semen concentration (20-300 mln/ml) or slight oligozoospermia (15-20 mln/ml). Participants were interviewed and provided a semen sample. The phthalate metabolites were analysed in the urine using a procedure based on the LC-MS/MS method. Urinary phthalate metabolites levels were significantly associated with a decrease in sperm motility (5OH MEHP, MEHP, MINP), CASA parameters (MBP), testosterone level (MEHP) and an increase sperm DNA damage (MBP) and sperm aneuploidy (MBzP, MBP, MEHP, MEP). In view of the importance of human reproductive health and the widespread usage of phthalates, it is important to further investigate these correlations.