Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most produced and studied chemicals. Several regulations concerning its use in the plastic industry have driven to its substitution by different analogues belonging to the bisphenols (BP) family. Indeed, BPA is recognized as an endocrine disruptor and many animal data point to its hazardous effects on female and male reproduction. The endocrine disruptor potential of other BP is also suspected. Therefore, the question of their effects regarding the outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) seems relevant. In this review, we present the major epidemiological data linking BP exposure in women and/or men with natural fertility, semen quality and biological/clinical outcomes after ART. The available data are not numerous notably for BP others than BPA. Although a possible negative association with sperm motility is found, there is no consensual data to affirm that BP exposures are linked with male fertility. The same is true for female fertility. A dose-dependent negative association with the number of retrieved oocytes or the pic of serum estradiol level during ovarian stimulation is reported inconsistently, as for the embryo implantation rate. However, pregnancy and live birth rates do not appear to vary according to exposure levels. Finally, the relevance of the methodology used to define exposure, largely based on a unique spot urine sample, is debated in order to put these data in perspective