O-140 Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy and male reproductive function in young adulthood

Introduction

Women of reproductive age may be exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a wide range of occupations. During pregnancy, PFAS may cross the placental barrier and disrupt fetal development with potential consequences for long-term health. In this study, we examined associations between maternal plasma levels of PFAS during early pregnancy and male reproductive function in young adulthood.

Materials and methods

The study population consisted of young men (n = 864, age 18–21 years) from the Fetal Programming of Semen Quality (FEPOS) cohort. The mothers of these young men participated in the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) between 1996 and 2002 and provided a blood sample in early pregnancy. Among the 15 PFAS measured in maternal plasma, seven compounds were quantified above the limit of detection in at least 80% of the samples. From 2017 to 2019, the young men completed an online questionnaire, a clinical examination and provided a blood and semen sample. We applied weighted quantile sum (WQS) and negative binomial regression to assess associations between combined and single substance exposure to PFAS and measures of semen quality, testicular volume and reproductive hormones. The study was approved by the Scientific Research Ethics Committee for Copenhagen and Frederiksberg, Denmark.

Results

Higher maternal plasma levels of PFAS were associated with lower sperm concentration (WQS -8% difference, 95% CI -16, -1), total sperm count (WQS -10% difference, 95% CI -17, -2) and a higher percentage of non-progressive/immotile sperm (WQS 5% difference, 95% CI 1, 8) in the young men.

Conclusions

Exposure to a range of common PFAS during pregnancy was inversely associated with key aspects of reproductive function in young men. Given the present concerns for reproductive toxicity of PFAS, continued awareness of exposures and efforts to limit these are needed.