Di-san junyi daxue xuebao (Jan 2021)
Association between fine particulate matter bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and DNA damage of male sperm in Chongqing
Abstract
Objective To investigate the association between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in atmospheric fine particulate matter(PM2.5) and sperm DNA damage in Chongqing. Methods The subjects were sampled from our previously established cohort of the male reproductive health in Chongqing college students(MARHCS) study. The concentrations of PAHs(collected during the sampling periods) with low fused aromatic rings(2~4 rings) and with high fused aromatic rings(5~6 rings) in the air PM2.5 filter membranes were detected. Single cell gel electrophoresis(Comet assay) was used to evaluate DNA damage. Finally, the mixed-effects model was used to investigate the relationships between the exposure concentrations of PAHs components in PM2.5 and severity of sperm DNA damage. Results In 2013, the low molecular weight(LMW) PAHs accounted for a large proportion in atmospheric fine particles, mainly phenanthrene, fluorene and pyrene. While, the high molecular weight(HMW) PAHs dominated in 2014, such as indeno[1, 2, 3-cd]pyrene, benzo[g, h, i]perylene and benzo[a]pyrene. Sperm DNA damage indicators, such as tail length, tail moment and Olive tail moment were more common in the cohort in the year of 2014 than in 2013(all P < 0.05). The results of the mixed model showed that the concentrations of fluoranthene, acenaphthene, pyrene and ∑LMW PAHs were negatively correlated with tail length and tail moment. The concentrations of benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and dibenz[a, h]anthracene were positively correlated with tail length [β(95%CI): 108.987(43.754~203.820), 158.700(65.957~303.272), 185.708(67.350~387.775), respectively; all corrected P < 0.05] and with tail moment [β(95%CI): 449.204(260.066~737.695), 683.108(374.515~1192.387), 683.108(374.515~1 192.387), respectively; all corrected P < 0.05]. Conclusion The exposure of HMW PAHs in Chongqing atmospheric fine particles may lead to the enhancement of sperm DNA damage.
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