Associations between Urinary Phthalate Metabolites and Serum Anti-Müller Hormone Levels in U.S. Men Based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004

Anti-Müller hormone (AMH) plays an important role in reproductive development and has a wide potential clinical application value. Phthalates have been widely found in human living environment and have negative effects on human reproduction. This study aimed to explore the relationship between urinary phthalate metabolites and serum AMH level in the general male population. Cross-sectional analyses were performed with a population of 489 men aged more than 12 years who participated in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States. NHANES public data (demographic and socioeconomic information, examinations, and laboratory tests) were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon test and multivariable regression. Results showed that the urine concentration of mono (3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP) of 12-20 age group was significantly positively correlated with serum AMH concentration in the model without any covariates (p < 0.05). In the 60-year-old group, the monomethyl phthalate (MEP), mono (2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) concentrations were significantly correlated with serum AMH concentrations in models both with and without covariates (all p < 0.05). It could be concluded that exposure to phthalates might have negative effects on AMH level, especially in seniors. AMH could be used as a marker of exposure to phthalates in aged males. How exposure to phthalates affected AMH level and what the potential long-term health consequences of their relationship are needs more investigation.