01 Apr Chemical UV Filters May Impair Fertility By Interfering With Progesterone Signaling
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Anders Rehfeld MD, PhD Student
University of Copenhagen
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Copenhagen, Denmark
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Rehfeld: Human fertility is declining in many areas of the world and the reason is largely unknown.
Our study shows that 44% tested chemical UV filters can induce calcium signals in human sperm cells, thereby mimicking the effect of progesterone and possibly interfering with the fertilizing ability of human sperm cells. Progesterone-induced calcium signaling, and the sperm functions it triggers, is absolutely essential for the human sperm cell to normally fertilize the human egg.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Rehfeld: Our study is an in vitro study, so we cannot know for sure if these effects of the UV filters also take place in vivo. However, if you are a couple trying to achieve pregnancy, it might be a good idea to use sunscreens with physical UV filters, instead of the chemical ones, even though we still cannot say for sure if they affect fertilization in vivo.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dr. Rehfeld: Our finding might have implications outside of the field of fertility, as progesterone signaling is important in many different organs and cells.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation: ENDO 2016 Abstract
Organic Ultraviolet Filters Mimic the Action of Progesterone on Human Sperm and Interfere with Sperm Functions
Anders Rehfeld*1, Dorte Louise Egeberg1, Steen Dissing2 and Niels Erik Skakkebaek3
1University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark, 3University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Rigshospitalet, Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
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More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com
Dr. Anders Rehfeld (2016). Chemical UV Filters May Impair Fertility By Blocking Progesterone MedicalResearch.com
Last Updated on April 2, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD