Electrochemical Reduction of Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate and Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate at Carbon and Silver Cathodes

197 words): Animal experiments and some human studies indicate that PBDEs may adversely affect male reproductive function. We collected three serum samples from 27 healthy adult men at 6-month intervals in the FlaRE study and assessed associations between PBDE exposure and reproductive function tests using mixed effects regression models, adjusting for confounders. Geometric mean concentrations of the five most prevalent PBDE congeners (BDE 28, 47, 99, 100, 153) by sampling round (Winter 2010, Summer 2010, Winter 2011) were 25.5 ng/g lipid, 25.5 ng/g lipid, and 21.1 ng/g lipid, respectively. PentaBDEs were significantly and inversely associated with inhibin-B. Among older men in our cohort (n=14, age range: 40 to 65 years old), increased concentration of BDE-100 was associated with a decrease in inhibin-B (p=0.02), an increase in follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) (p=0.02), and non-significant decreases in the inhibin-B/FSH ratio (p=0.16) and the free androgen index (p=0.07). Although we did not examine sperm counts and testicular volume, these outcomes are typically positively correlated with inhibin-B serum levels. These findings suggest that PBDE exposure may decrease testicular function in older men. This presentation will compare our results with other studies and discuss the possible implications of PBDE exposure for male reproductive health.