Comparative study of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene in blood and semen of two young male populations: Lack of relationship to infertility, but evidence of high exposure of the mothers

in Reproductive Toxicology (2005), 20(2, Jul-Aug), 215-220

The purpose of the study was to investigate the possible effect of an environmental organochlorine, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), on male fertility assessed by main sperm variables ... [more ▼]

The purpose of the study was to investigate the possible effect of an environmental organochlorine, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), on male fertility assessed by main sperm variables, conducted through a case-control study on young men attending the andrology laboratory in the context of infertility investigation in the couple. Blood and semen samples were obtained from 73 young men considered as fertile based on semen analysis (controls) and 82 classified as subfertile or unfertile (cases). Standard clinical analysis of semen was performed and identification and quantification of p,p'-DDE in serum and in seminal plasma were done by gas chromatography. No p,p'-DDE was detected in the seminal plasma of either group. Blood concentration of p,p'-DDE in both groups was very low and did not differ between cases and controls; however, blood samples were obtained from 23 mothers in the control group, and from 19 in the case group, and p,p'-DDE serum level was significantly higher in the mothers of subfertile men. These data suggest that male infertility could be associated with exposure of the mothers to p,p'-DDE with deleterious effects restricted to intra-uterine life and thus undetected in blood or seminal plasma of subfertile men. [less ▲]

Diagnostic de l'intoxication aiguë par les insecticides organophosphorés basés sur la détermination de l'activité cholinestérasique

Poster (2005)

Environmental dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane or hexachlorobenzene exposure and breast cancer: is there a risk?

in Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (2004), 42(2), 222-227

The carcinogenic potential of environmental xenoestrogens (i.e., organochlorines) is a matter of controversy. Their pathogenic role as promoters in breast cancer has been previously suggested. In Europe ... [more ▼]

The carcinogenic potential of environmental xenoestrogens (i.e., organochlorines) is a matter of controversy. Their pathogenic role as promoters in breast cancer has been previously suggested. In Europe, despite their prohibition since the '70s, residues persist in soil and rivers resulting in a widespread contamination of the general population. In this study, we have compared the serum levels of p,p'-1,1-dichloro-2, 2-bis (4-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in 231 women at the time of breast cancer discovery and in 290 agematched healthy controls. p,p'-DDE was found in 76.2% of cases and in 71.1% of controls but HCB was present only in 12.6% of cases (29 from 231) and in 8.9% of controls (26 from 290). Even if taking all undetectable results (recorded as "0") into consideration, mean values were significantly different in cases when compared to controls. The serum level of p,p'-DDE was 3.46+/-3.48 ppb (0.58+/-0.58 mug/g lipid) in patients and 1.85+/-2.09 ppb (0.31+/-0.35 mug/g lipid) in controls (p<0.0001). The HCB serum level was 0.66+/-1.25 ppb (0.11+/-0.21 mug/g lipid) in patients and 0.20+/-1.02 ppb (0.03+/-0.17 mug/g lipid) in controls (p<0.0001). When considering p,p'-DDE and HCB as binary variables (1 if higher than the limit of quantification, 0 if lower), the presence of both residues was significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer development (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.41-3.48 for p,p'-DDE and OR 4.99, 95% CI 2.95-8.43 for HCB). No excess was observed among parous women or when familial history of breast cancer was considered. In the cancer group, no differences in serum levels of p,p'-DDE or HCB were found in relation with estrogenreceptor (ER) status, Bloom stage or lymph node metastasis, but the HCB level was moderately correlated with tumor size (p=0.026). [less ▲]

polychlorinated biphenyls contamination in women with breast cancer

in Clinica Chimica Acta (2004), 347

Influence des médicaments et des stupéfiants sur la conduite automobile

Conference given outside the academic context (2004)

How dangerous is the environment for the breast?

Conference (2004)

PCB residues in a breast cancer patient population

in Bulletin of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology (2003), 71(5), 887-891

Breast cancer and serum organochlorine residues

in Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2003), 60(5), 348-351

Background: Controversy still exists about the breast carcinogenic properties in humans of environmental xenoestrogens (organochlorines), justifying new investigations. Aims: To compare the blood levels ... [more ▼]

Background: Controversy still exists about the breast carcinogenic properties in humans of environmental xenoestrogens (organochlorines), justifying new investigations. Aims: To compare the blood levels of total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in samples collected at the time of breast cancer discovery, in order to avoid the potential consequences of body weight change ( after chemotherapy or radiotherapy) on the pesticide residue levels. Methods: Blood levels of HCB and total DDT (we calculated total DDT concentrations by adding all DDT and DDE isomers) were compared in 159 women with breast cancer and 250 presumably healthy controls. Risk of breast cancer associated with organochlorine concentration was evaluated. Results: Mean levels of total DDT and HCB were significantly higher for breast cancer patients than for controls. No differences in serum levels of total DDT or HCB were found between oestrogen receptor positive and oestrogen receptor negative patients with breast cancer. Conclusions: These results add to the growing evidence that certain persistent pollutants may occur in higher concentrations in blood samples from breast cancer patients than controls. [less ▲]

Analysis of polychlorinated biphenyl residues in human plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2003), 27(2), 74-77

A method for the determination of seven polychlorinated biphenyl residues in plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed. The analytes were isolated from human plasma by liquid-liquid ... [more ▼]

A method for the determination of seven polychlorinated biphenyl residues in plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed. The analytes were isolated from human plasma by liquid-liquid extraction, followed by solid-phase extraction, and separation on an HP5 Trace column. Ionization mode was electronic impact, and selected ion storage was used for isolation and quantitation of the compounds. The method was evaluated for its analytical performances and therefore applied to monitor the prevalence of these seven polychlorinated biphenyl residues in a female population. Eighty samples were analyzed, and 82.5% presented detectable amounts of at least one residue. For the population study, results were reported on a lipid-adjusted basis. Because the proposed method is satisfying and seems to be suitable for the quantitation of PCB congeners in a general population, epidemiological studies to evaluate the widespread contamination with these environmental compounds can be proposed. [less ▲]

Biomarqueurs de toxicité et anomalies métaboliques dans les principales intoxications graves. Symptomatologie clinique et toxique. Le prélèvement conservatoire.

in Annales de Biologie Clinique (2003), 61