1. Phthalate exposure and subfecundity in preconception couples: A nested case-control study
- Author
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Anxin Yin, Lisha Mao, Congcong Zhang, Bingcheng Du, Xu Xiong, An Chen, Lu Cheng, Zhichun Zhang, Xingying Li, Ying Zhou, and Hong Jiang
- Subjects
Phthalate ,Subfecundity ,Nested case-control study ,Preconception couples ,Time to pregnancy ,Environmental pollution ,TD172-193.5 ,Environmental sciences ,GE1-350 - Abstract
Background: Phthalates (PAEs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals ubiquitously found in the environment. This study aimed to examine the association between exposure of PAEs and subfecundity in preconception couples. Methods: This is a nested case-control study based on preconception cohort. Preconception couples with intention to conceive were enrolled and followed up until a clinically confirmed pregnancy or 12 menstrual cycles of preparation for conception. A total of 107 couples with subfecundity- time to pregnancy (TTP) more than 12 menstrual cycles, and 144 couples ≤12 cycles were included in the analysis. The levels of PAE metabolites in one spot urine samples were detected and compared between the groups. The weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression model and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model were used to examine the joint effects of couples’ exposure to PAEs on subfecundity. Results: Using the multivariate binary logistic regression model, compared to the lowest quartile of urinary ∑PAEs concentration group, both preconception females (aOR=2.42, 95% CI: 1.10–5.30, p=0.027) and males (aOR=2.99, 95% CI: 1.36–6.58, p=0.006) in the highest quartile group had an increased risk of subfecundity, and a dose-response relationship was observed between PAEs and the risk of subfecundity. The WQS analyses found that co-exposure to PAE mixture was a risk factor for subfecundity in preconception female (aOR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.38–2.26, p
- Published
- 2024
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