Controversial chemical may harm sperm

The controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) may be linked to decreases in sperm quality and concentration, scientists have said. Preliminary results at the University of Michigan School of Public Health suggest that men with high concentrations of the chemical in their urine may face an elevated risk of a low sperm count. However, the scientists noted that more research is needed before conclusions can be drawn. Their study involved 190 men, all of whom provided urine and sperm samples on the same day. Nearly half of the men (78) also gave one or two additional urine samples a month apart. Analysis revealed that 89 per cent of urine samples showed traces of BPA. Lead author John Meeker, assistant professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, revealed: 'We found that if we compare somebody in the top quartile of exposure with the lowest quartile of exposure, sperm concentration was on average about 23 per cent lower in men with the highest BPA.' The findings are published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology and add to concerns about the chemical, which is found in many plastics. Source: www.ippf.org