Negative effects of serum p,p'-DDE on sperm parameters and modification by genetic polymorphisms.

Objective: Effects of ambient exposure to DDT and its metabolites (DDE-DDT) on human sperm parameters and the role of genetic polymorphisms in modifying the association were investigated.

Methods: Demographics, medical history data, blood and semen samples were obtained from the first 336 male partners of couples presenting to 2 infertility clinics. Serum was analyzed for organochlorines (OC) and DNA for polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and CYP1A1.