Urinary concentrations of benzophenone-type ultraviolet light filters and semen quality

Objective To assess benzophenone-type ultraviolet (UV) filter concentrations, chemicals used in sunscreen and personal care products, and semen endpoints. Design Cohort. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) A total of 413 men provided semen and urine samples, 2005–2009. Five UV filters were quantified (ng/mL) in urine using liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry: BP-1 (2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone), BP-2 (2,2′,4,4′-tetrahydroxybenzophenone), BP-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone), BP-8 (2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone), and 4-OH-BP (4-hydroxybenzophenone). Using linear regression, β-coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each chemical dichotomized at the 75th percentile and Box-Cox transformed semen endpoint were estimated, after adjusting for age, body mass index, cotinine, season, and site. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Thirty-five semen endpoints. Result(s) BP-2 was associated with diminished sperm concentration (β = −0.74; 95% CI −1.41, −0.08), straight (β = −4.57; 95% CI −8.95, −0.18) and linear movement (β = −3.15; 95% CI −6.01, −0.30), more immature sperm (β = 0.38; 95% CI 0.15, 0.62), and a decreased percentage of other tail abnormalities (β = −0.16; 95% CI −0.31, −0.01). BP-8 was associated with decreased hypo-osmotic swelling (β = −2.57; 95% CI −4.86, −0.29) and higher acrosome area (β = 1.14; 95% CI 0.01, 2.26). No associations were observed for BP-1, BP-3, or 4OH-BP. Conclusion(s) The findings suggest that specific UV filters may be associated with some aspects of semen endpoints, but await future corroboration.