Biopersistent organochlorines in diet and human fertility. epidemiologic studies of time to pregnancy and semen quality in inuit and european populations.

Objective

Temporal and regional trends of malignant and reproductive disorders have renewed interest in environmental pollutants. Bio persistent organ chlorines (POC) in food are an important source of environmental exposure to xenohormones. The objective of this project is to characterize the impact of dietary Pocks on human fertility and to provide evidence in support of or against the environmental hormone hypothesis. Inuit people in Greenland, Swedish fishermen ' s families and population samples from Poland and Ukraine are selected for studies of time taken to conceive, semen quality and endocrine disruption. The study includes people with documented body burdens of Pocks ranking among the highest in the world. We set out to corroborate or reject that high dietary intake of POC causes delayed time to conception because of impaired spermatogenesis due to disturbed gonad development in prenatal life. The project will contribute scientific knowledge as basis for appropriate assessment and management of risk related to consumption of POC contaminated diet and provide strong evidence in support of or against the hormonal disruption hypothesis.

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-4. - Key action Environment and Health

Funding Scheme

Coordinator

Participants (5)