FATHER'S DAY FACT: DAD'S EXPOSURES CAN BE SIGNIFICANT PRIOR TO PREGNANCY

According to the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a nationwide non-profit that educates the public about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, more studies are needed to evaluate the potential effect of illnesses, medications and men's lifestyle habits and their impact on both fertility and pregnancy. It is estimated that for couples suffering fertility problems, the issue rests half of the time with the male. In approximately a quarter of these cases, a specific cause is unknown.

"A paternal exposure is anything the father of the baby is exposed to before or during his partner's pregnancy," explained Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH, professor of pediatrics and director of OTIS' California affiliate, the CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line, which is based at the University of California, San Diego. "Some exposures may affect a man's ability to father a child by changing the size or shape of sperm, the number of sperm produced or how the sperm work," she added.

Studies have found associations with the following risk factors and either altered sperm with or without infertility, lower fertility and infertility:

*      Occupational: Chemicals such as heavy metals, solvents, fumes (welding fumes).
*      Physical agents: Heat, vibration, extremes in temperature and pressure.
*      Radiation: Radiation and electromagnetic radiation (cell phones).
*      Lifestyle: Cigarette smoking.
*      Infection: Chlamydia trachomatis, a common sexually transmitted disease.
*      Pollutants: PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls). PCBs were banned by the EPA in 1979, but exist in the environment including landfills, lakes and streams.

"Dad is sometimes an afterthought when it comes to pregnancy," said Dr. Chambers. "But the bottom line is it's often just as important to consider dad's impact on a developing baby before, during and after pregnancy as it is mom's," she added. "What better time to remind the public of that significance than during Father's Day."

Questions or concerns about paternal exposures in pregnancy or breastfeeding from anyone in the U.S. can be directed to OTIS counselors at (866) 626-OTIS (6847). A variety of fact sheets can also be viewed and downloaded at www.OTISPregnancy.org.


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