Aim: To evaluate the role of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as a potential environmental hazard in the deterioration of male fertility. Methods: Fifty-three males were studied. After a thorough case history evaluation and relevant clinical and laboratory investigations, PCBs were estimated in the seminal plasma of 21 infertile men with Unexplained Male Factor and 32 fertile controls. Peak retention times of the eluants were compared with those of the commercially available standard PCB Mix, and the results confirmed spectrophotometrically. Seminal PCB concentrations were compared between i) fertile and infertile men and ii) men from different areas and diets. The relationship between PCB concentrations and measures of sperm quality such as the total motile sperm count, was assessed. Results: PCBs were detected in seminal plasma of infertile men but absent from controls. Sperm quantity and quality were significantly lower in infertile men compared to controls. The highest average PCB concentrations were found in fish-eating urban dwellers, and followed in succession by fish-eating rural dwellers, non fish-eating urban dwellers and non fish-eating rural dwellers. The total motile sperm counts were inversely proportional to the PCB concentrations and were significantly lower than those of the respective controls. Conclusion: PCBs may be instrumental in the deterioration of sperm quantity and quality, a contaminated fish diet being the main source of exposure.

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