Visco-elasticity of seminal fluid in relation to the epididymal and accessory sex gland function and its impact on sperm motility

Seminal viscopathy was shown to be associated with male infertility. However, our knowledge about the regulatory mechanism of this process is still limited. In semen samples from 411 men attending for fertility assessment, traditional semen parameters including visco-elasticity were assessed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm motility was evaluated by use of computer aided sperm analysis (CASA). Seminal activity of neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG) and concentrations of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), zinc, and fructose were measured. The activity of NAG, and the concentrations of PSA and zinc were significantly lower in hyper-visco-elastic semen samples (medians: 5 vs. 8 mU/mL; 741 vs. 924 mg/L; 1 vs. 2 mM/L), than in those with normal visco-elasticity (p = 0.004, 0.005 and 0.011, respectively). When comparing the total amounts, only for seminal fructose there was a difference between samples with high visco-elasticity as compared with those of normal visco-elasticity (median: 74 vs. 53 microM/ejaculate, p = 0.007) This seminal marker was the only significant independent parameter in predicting seminal visco-elasticity in a multiple logistic regression analysis (odds ratio for the highest quartile = 4.67). Hyper-visco-elasticity was associated with a lower percentage of motile spermatozoa (43 vs. 50%, p = 0.045). Similar trend was found for the CASA motility characteristics curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path length (VAP), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) (p = 0.008, 0.038 and 0.020, respectively). Our study demonstrated the interplay between the regulatory effect of post-testicular organs on semen visco-elasticity. Hyper-visco-elasticity was associated with asthenozoospermia and lower levels of VCL, VAP and ALH.     

Influence of sexual stimulation on sperm parameters in semen samples collected via masturbation from normozoospermic men or cryptozoospermic men participating in an assisted reproduction programme

To evaluate the influence of sexual stimulation via sexually stimulating videotaped visual images (VIM) on sperm function, two semen samples were collected from each of 19 normozoospermic men via masturbation with VIM. Two additional samples were collected from each man via masturbation without VIM. The volume of seminal plasma, total sperm count, sperm motility, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa, outcome of hypo-osmotic swelling test and zona-free hamster oocyte sperm penetration assay, and markers of the secretory function of prostate were significantly larger in semen samples collected via masturbation with VIM than masturbation without VIM. The improved sperm parameters in the samples collected via masturbation with VIM may reflect an enhanced prostatic secretory function and increased loading of the vas deferens at that time. In a similar protocol, two semen samples were collected via masturbation with VIM from each of 22 non-obstructed azoospermic men. Semen samples from these men had been occasionally positive in the past for a very small number of spermatozoa (cryptozoospermic men). Two additional samples were collected from each cryptozoospermic man via masturbation without VIM. The volume of seminal plasma, total sperm count, sperm motility, and a marker of the secretory function of prostate were significantly larger in semen samples collected via masturbation with VIM. Fourteen out of the 22 men were negative for spermatozoa in both samples collected via masturbation without VIM. These men demonstrated spermatozoa in both samples collected via masturbation with VIM. Six men with immotile spermatozoa in both samples collected via masturbation without VIM exposed motile spermatozoa in both samples collected via masturbation with VIM. High sexual stimulation during masturbation with VIM results in recovery of spermatozoa of greater fertilizing potential both in normozoospermic and cryptozoospermic men. The appearance of spermatozoa after masturbation with VIM in the vast majority of cryptozoospermic men is of clinical significance in programmes applying intracytoplasmic sperm injections for the management of severe male infertility and obviates the need for testicular biopsy.     

Effects of treatment with Hypoxis hemerocallidea extract on sexual behaviour and reproductive parameters in male rats

Hypoxis hemerocallidea is used in traditional medicine in South Africa, for the treatment of male reproductive ailments and various chronic illnesses. Despite chronic use, its effects on male reproductive system are unknown. Male Wistar rats were treated orally daily for 28 (n = 18) and 56 days (n = 18). Treatment groups (n = 6/group) per treatment period were as follows: untreated control, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg 70% ethanolic extract of H. hemerocallidea. Sexual behaviour observations were performed on days 17 and 42 of the study. Sperm, biochemical and testicular histopathological studies were carried out. Arousal and libido and serum testosterone increased after 56 days of treatment. There was an increase in epididymal sperm count at both treatment doses, with the 300 mg/kg dose showing a higher sperm count (p < .05) compared to the 150 mg/kg treatment group. The higher 300 mg/kg dose also showed an increase (p < .05) in sperm motility after 56 days of treatment. Histology showed an increase in germinal layer thickness, consistent with the observed increase in sperm count. Testicular oxidative status improved after 56 days of treatment. Results suggest that chronic treatment with H. hemerocallidea may improve male sexual function and fertility parameters and may protect testes from oxidative damage.     

男性不育患者精子形态学分析与生殖激素关系的研究

目的:研究男性不育患者精子形态与生殖激素的关系,探讨畸形精子症的发病机制。方法:研究对象为90例男性不育患者,年龄25～40岁,利用Prader睾丸计评估患者睾丸容积,根据世界卫生标准进行精液常规分析,利用化学发光法测定血清生殖激素和性激素结合球蛋白(SHBG)浓度,计算得出游离睾酮和生物活性睾酮的浓度。结果:90例男性不育患者精子浓度均在正常范围,根据精子形态分析结果分为3个研究组,即组1(正常形态精子<4%)、组2(正常形态精子≥4%且<10%)和组3(正常形态精子≥10%),每组30例。3组之间年龄没有统计学差异(P>0.05);左侧睾丸容积分别为(14.27±3.65)ml,(16.90±3.57)ml和(14.57±3.57)ml,P组1,2=0.006,P组1,3=0.741和P组2,3=0.014;右侧睾丸容积分别为(14.60±3.70)ml,(16.60±3.35)ml和(14.67±3.54)ml,P=0.05;血清泌乳素(PRL)、卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)、雌二醇(E2)、总睾酮(TT)和SH-BG在3组之间均没有统计学差异(P>0.05);血清游离睾酮(FT)水平分别为(0.25±0.07)nmol/L,(0.29±0.07)nmol/L和(0.31±0.13)nmol/L,P组1,2=0.086,P组1,3=0.010和P组2,3=0.364;生物活性睾酮(Bio-T)水平分别为(5.81±1.58)nmol/L,(6.78±1.55)nmol/L和(7.29±3.02)nmol/L,P组1,2=0.086,P组1,3=0.010和P组2,3=0.364。另外,正常形态精子百分率与血清FT、Bio-T水平之间均存在正相关(P<0.05)。结论:男性不育患者血清FT和Bio-T水平越高,则正常形态精子百分率越高,提示FT和Bio-T可能参与畸形精子症发病过程。     

Ultrastructural study of the coagulating gland of Wistar rats submitted to experimental chronic alcohol ingestion

Morphological changes of coagulating gland of Wistar rats submitted to the experimental chronic alcoholism were noted. Ultrastructurally, it was observed reduction of the granular endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and nuclei with basal position and irregular shape. The epithelial cells presented pycnotic nuclei and the mitochondrial cristae disappeared, characteristic of cellular degeneration. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Quercetin impairs the reproductive potential of male mice

Oxidative stress is a leading cause of male infertility. To combat this, germ cells and spermatozoa are endowed with various enzymes, vitamins and proteins. Certain other components of food, including bioflavonoids, also provide protection against free radicals. This study analysed the effect of quercetin, a bioflavonoid, on male reproductive function in adult mice, after intraperitoneal treatment with varying concentrations of quercetin (2, 8 and 20 mg kg^?1 b.wt.) for 2 weeks. Quercetin increased the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation in the testis with concomitant decrease in sperm count and motility in a dose‐dependent manner. Activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and levels of reduced glutathione were found to be decreased in a dose‐dependent manner. Also, the levels of oxidised glutathione were increased leading to a shift in redox ratio. The testicular histomorphology was also altered dose dependently. Germ cell kinetic study revealed significant loss of various germ cell populations with increasing dose of quercetin. Interestingly, there was a reduction in germinal epithelium thickness concomitant with an increase in seminiferous tubule lumen diameter. In conclusion, the deleterious effects of quercetin on germ cells could be attributed to its pro‐oxidant ability that might affect the Sertoli cell functions.     

Advanced glycation end products accumulate in the reproductive tract of men with diabetes

Light microscopic studies comparing sperm parameters show little association between diabetes and male fertility. However, with the introduction of new analytical techniques, evidence is now emerging of previously undetectable effects of diabetes on sperm function. Specifically, a recent study has found a significantly higher sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation in diabetic men. As advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are important instigators of oxidative stress and cell dysfunction in numerous diabetic complications, we hypothesized that these compounds could also be present in the male reproductive tract. The presence and localization of the most prominent AGE, carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), in the human testis, epididymis and sperm was determined by immunohistochemistry. Parallel ELISA and Western blot analyses were performed to ascertain the amount of CML in seminal plasma and sperm from 13 diabetic and nine non-diabetic subjects. CML immunoreactivity was found throughout the seminiferous epithelium, the nuclei of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, in the basal and principle cells cytoplasm and nuclei of the caput epididymis and on most sperm tails, mid pieces and all cytoplasmic droplets. The acrosomal cap, especially the equatorial band, was prominently stained in diabetic samples only. The amount of CML was significantly higher ( p  = 0.004) in sperm from non-diabetic men. Considering the known detrimental actions of AGEs in other organs, the presence, location and quantity of CML, particularly the increased expression found in diabetic men, suggest that these compounds may play a hitherto unrecognized role in male infertility.     

Relationship between age and semen parameters in men with normal sperm concentration: analysis of 6022 semen samples

This study evaluates retrospectively the relationship between age and semen parameters among men with normal sperm concentration. It was based on computerized data and performed in an Academic Fertility and IVF Unit. Six thousand and twenty-two semen samples with sperm concentrations of >or=20 x 10(6) ml(-1) were examined according to WHO criteria and analysed in relation to patients' age. For each age group, mean values +/- SD of semen volume, sperm concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa, normal morphology, acrosome index, total sperm count/ejaculate, total motile sperm count/ejaculate and sexual abstinence duration were examined. A peak semen volume of 3.51 +/- 1.76 ml(-1) was observed at age >or=30 to <35 years and a lowest volume of 2.21 +/- 1.23 ml(-1) was observed at age >or=55 years (P<0.05). Sperm motility was found to be inversely related to age with peak motility of 44.39 +/- 20.69% at age <25 years and lowest motility of 24.76 +/- 18.27% at age >or=55 years (P<0.05). A reduction of 54% was observed for total motile sperm, between values of 103.34 +/- 107 x 10(6) at age >or=30 to <35 years and 46.68 +/- 53.73 x 10(6) (P<0.05) at age >55 years. A statistically significant and inverse relationship was observed between semen volume, sperm quality and patient age, in spite of prolonged sexual abstinence duration. Top sperm parameters were observed at age >or=30 to <35 years, while the most significant reduction in sperm parameters occurred after the age of 55 years.     

Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in Chinese men with chronic prostatitis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of sexual dysfunction in Chinese men with chronic prostatitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 2000 men diagnosed as having chronic prostatitis using the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Index and analysis of expressed prostatic secretions. The survey was designed to elicit information about age, height, weight, occupation and history of disease and treatment. The erectile capacity of the men was assessed using the five-question version of the International Index of Erectile Function. RESULTS: Of the 2000 men with chronic prostatitis selected, 1786 completed the survey; the overall prevalence of sexual dysfunction in these patients was 49%. The prevalence of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction accounted for 26% and 15%, respectively; 7.7% had both premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. There was a negative correlation between prevalence and age, and with the duration of chronic prostatitis (both P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of sexual dysfunction in Chinese men with chronic prostatitis is high and related to age.     

Sperm chromatin integrity in young men with no experiences of infertility and men from idiopathic infertility couples

Damage to the genetic component of spermatozoa seems to play the main role in a majority of cases where current approaches fail to reveal the specific cause of male infertility. In this study, we compared semen quality in men assigned to two defined groups: men from couples with unexplained infertility – idiopathic infertility (A) and young men with no experiences of infertility (B). All samples were examined by standard ejaculate analysis and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Sperm chromatin damage was significantly higher in men from group A than in those from group B. Similar results were obtained by comparison of men from group A (all men were normozoospermic) with normozoospermic men from group B. According to these results, we can suppose that chromatin disorders may be the causal factor of subfertility or infertility in some of these men. No evidence for a strong association between chromatin disorders and standard parameters of ejaculates was found. We failed to confirm a relationship between smoking and sperm quality in men from any of the investigated groups. SCSA is a method that facilitates the identification of infertile men who otherwise show normal semen variables.     

Sperm loss in the urine of sexually rested men

In the majority of species, the number of spermatozoa ejaculated is considerably less than the number of sperm produced. Two possible explanations for this discrepancy are the resorption of sperm in the reproductive tract and/or the passage of sperm to the urine. We have examined 24-h urine samples from fertile men who abstained from sexual activity for up to 13 days. Very few sperm were found in the 24-h urine samples. We conclude that sperm loss in the urine is not a significant pathway of sperm disposal in the sexually rested male.     

Within-subject variation of seminal parameters in men with infertile marriages

As little information exists on the semen variability in infertile men, this study aimed at analysing the within-subject variability of semen from men with infertile marriages included in an intrauterine insemination (IUI) programme. Five ejaculates from each of 436 men (2180 specimens) were analysed. The within-subject coefficients of variation (CV(w)) were high for all parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, forward motility and combined parameters), ranging from 0.73 for the total motile sperm count to 0.27 for the semen volume. Nevertheless, within-subject fluctuations were smaller than the between-subject variability, as indicated by high Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) values, which, however, significantly lowered when 相似文献   

Endocrine and reproductive health status of men who had experienced short-term radiation exposure at Chernobyl

Hormonal and semen parameters in 416 men aged 25–45 years were examined: 328 were men who cleaned the territory around the Chernobyl nuclear reactor (called `liquidators') and 88 were healthy age-matched controls. The dose of radiation received by the liquidators was 0.16 ± 0.08 Gy. LH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone and cortisol levels were assayed using WHO -matched reagents. Semen analyses were performed according to the WHO Manual (1992 ). The mean concentration of all hormones in liquidators and controls were within the WHO-defined normal range. The mean levels of LH and cortisol in liquidators were significantly lower ( p  = 0.013 and p  < 0.001, respectively) and testosterone significantly higher ( p  = 0.023) than in controls. The variations in hormone levels in liquidators were not correlated with the acquired doses of radiation as measured by personal dosimeters (film badges). Semen parameters in a sub-group of 70 liquidators were within the normal WHO-defined range. The percentage of normal forms of spermatozoa in liquidators (35.0 ± 13.1%) was significantly lower ( p  < 0.015) than in a control group (42.8 ± 8.9%). The study has shown that exposure of men to relatively short-term radiation did not cause long-lasting disruption of their endocrine status and spermatogenesis. The study was 7–9 years retrospective and it is therefore impossible to infer what the immediate effects of the radiation exposure were on these parameters.     

非梗阻性无精子症患者睾丸体积、生殖激素水平与睾丸穿刺取精结果的相关性研究

目的:探讨非梗阻性无精子症患者睾丸体积、生殖激素水平与睾丸穿刺取精术(TESA)结果的相关性,以及可用于预测TESA结果的睾丸体积、生殖激素水平的切点值,从而为非梗阻性无精子症患者进一步诊疗提供重要资料。方法:121例研究对象均为非梗阻性无精子症患者(NOA),测定其睾丸体积和生殖激素水平,并根据TESA结果分为无精子组和有精子组。结果:无精子组和有精子组的左侧睾丸体积(ml)、右侧睾丸体积(ml)、泌乳素(PRL,ng/ml)、卵泡刺激素(FSH,mIU/ml)、黄体生成素(LH,mIU/ml)、雌二醇(E2,pmol/L)、血清总睾酮(TT,nmol/L)水平分别为7.07±1.06和11.75±1.38、7.37±1.37和11.70±1.98、12.43±11.69和9.60±4.55、15.77±10.84和8.01±7.43、6.12±2.92和8.11±20.11、119.36±43.52和141.12±48.33、11.43±4.05和12.46±4.60。无精子组血清FSH和PRL水平平均值高于有精子组,并且有显著的统计学差异。虽然无精子组的睾丸体积平均数小于有精子组,但两组之间没有统计学差异。对于年龄、血清E2和TT水平,两组之间也没有统计学差异。利用ROC曲线优选的睾丸体积切点值为9 ml,此点其敏感性为93.8%/89.6%(左/右),特异性为100%/94.3%(左/右),睾丸体积ROC曲线的AUC为0.984/0.961(左/右),表明其诊断准确性较高;优选的血清FSH水平切点值为8.18 mIU/ml,此点其敏感性为71.2%,特异性为75.0%,FSH水平ROC曲线的AUC为0.743,表明其诊断准确性中等。结论:睾丸体积和FSH水平对于预测NOA患者TESA结果具有重要意义,并且睾丸体积诊断准确性明显优于FSH。     

The Effect of Nitrofurazone on the Endocrine, Secretory and Spermatogenic Functions of the Rat Testis

Der Einfluß von Nitrofurazon auf die endokrine, sekretorische und spermatogenetische Funktion des Rattenhodens In einer experimentellen Studie wurde an männlichen Ratten der Einfluß der anti-spermatogenetischen Substanz Nitrofurazon unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Leydig-Zellen, der Sertoli-Zellen und der Keimzellen untersucht. Die Leydigzellfunktion wurde mittels der Serumtestosteronwerte und der Testosteronbildungskapazität von Hodengewebe in vitro gemessen. Die Sertoli-Zellen wurden mittels Licht- und Elektro-nenmikroskopie untersucht; ihre Funktion wurde folgendermaßen gemessen: 1) Testi-kuläre ABP-Synthese-Kapazität in vivo und in vitro; 2) Flüssigkeitssekretion der Sertoli-Zellen innerhalb von 20 Stunden nach der Ligatur der Ductuli efferentes; 3) FSH-Serum-Werte als indirektes Maß der Inhibin-Produktion der Sertoli-Zellen; 4) Untersuchung der Fähigkeit der Verbindungen zwischen den Sertoli-Zellen, Lanthanumpraezipitat festzuhalten als ein Beweis für die Integrität der Blut-Hoden-Schranke. Die Degeneration der Keimzellen wurde mittels Licht- und Elektronenmikroskopie verfolgt. Nitro-furazon wurde in einer Konzentration von 0,1% der Nahrung zugesetzt; verwendet wur-den normale Ratten und solche die vorher bestrahlt waren, um ein Sertoli-Zell-Syndrom auszulösen (Cobald-60, 150 rad, 1,1 rad/sec). Es wird festgestellt, daß Nitrofurazon für alle Keimzellen innerhalb der Blut-Hoden-Schränke schädlich ist. Die am stärksten und am schnellsten eingetrenen Effekte wur-den an den meiotischen Zellstadien beobachtet. 28 Tage nach Nitrofurazonanwendung wurden lediglich Spermatogonien und einige frühe Spermatozyten festgestellt. Bei Sertoli-Ratten kam gelegentlich eine scheinbar intakte Spermatogenese bis zu dem Stadium der elongierten Spermatiden auch nach 28 Tagen Therapie zur Beobachtung. Die Leydig-Zellen wurden nicht geschädigt; das ergab sich aus der erhaltenen bzw. angestie-. genen Kapazität zur Produktion von Testosteron. In den Sertoli-Zellen selbst ergaben sich keine degenerativen Veränderungen; dennoch wurde ein verändertes Erscheinungs-bild der Lipid-Einschlüsse und ein zahlenmäßiger Anstieg der Cytoplasma-Vakuolen festgestellt. Die in vivo-ABP-Produktion zeigte anfangs (nach 2–4 Tagen) einen deutli-chen Abfall bei den Normal- und bei den Sertoli-Ratten. Nach längerer Anwendung von Nitrofurazon wurde die ABP-Produktion wiederhergestellt (Steroli-Ratten) bzw. stieg beachtlich an (Normal-Ratten). Abgesehen von einem vorübergehenden Anstieg am 10. Tag bei Normal-Ratten wurde die Flüssigkeitssekretion der Sertoli-Zellen nicht durch Nitrofurazon beeinflußt. Nach 10 und 28 Tagen Anwendung zeigten die Normal-Ratten ebenso wie die Kontrollen höhere FSH-Werte. Die Sertoli-Ratten hatten FSH-Werte, die den Kastrations-Werten angenähert waren während der Studie; es konnte keinerlei Einfluß von Nitrofurazon festgestellt werden. In dem Stadium der Behandlung, bei dem die Spermatogenese vollständig gehemmt war, erwiesen sich die Leydig-Zellfunktion und verschiedene Parameter der Sertoli-Zell-Funktion als normal. Somit muß unterstellt werden, daß Nitrofurazon seinen hauptsächlichen Einfluß direkt auf die Keimzellen ausübt.     

Influence of mineral,olive or sunflower oils on male reproductive parameters in vitro – the wild rodent Calomys laucha

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of oils on male reproductive parameters in Calomys laucha. Twenty‐four animals were distributed into four groups and given the following substances by gavage: water, mineral oil, olive oil and sunflower oil. After 10 days of gavage, the animals were euthanised and the semen was collected from them for assessing acrosome integrity and carrying out in vitro penetration (IVP) test. Acrosome was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) for the vehicles in relation to control. In vitro penetration was reduced in all vehicles in relation to control, but only sunflower oil had statistically lower levels of reduction (P < 0.05). Oily vehicles are able to influence in vitro reproductive tests negatively, interfering in reproductive toxicological studies.     

Geographical differences in semen characteristics: Comparing semen parameters of infertile men of the United States and Iraq

The declining trend of male fecundity is a major global health and social concern. Among numerous other confounding factors, variations in male fertility parameters in different regions have repeatedly been suggested to be influenced by geographic locations. The impact of overall lifestyle, behavioural patterns, ethnicity, work stress and associated factors upon health differ greatly between developed and developing countries. These factors, individually or in combination, affect male reproductive functions ensuing the discrepancies in semen qualities in connection with geographic variations. However, reports comparing semen characteristics between developed and developing countries are sparse. The present study finds its novelty in presenting a comparison in semen parameters of infertile men in the United States (n = 76) that fairly represents the population of a highly developed region and Iraq (n = 102), the representative of male populations of a developing region. Samples were collected and analysed according to WHO (WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, WHO; 2010) criteria by means of the Mann–Whitney test. The US population demonstrated lower sperm concentration, total count, and total and progressive sperm motility with a higher seminal total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as compared to the Iraqi population. This report encourages further investigations concerning the confounding factors leading to such alterations in semen qualities between these two geographic areas.     

Prostatic massage: a simple method of semen retrieval in men with spinal cord injury

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prostatic massage (PM) as a method for obtaining semen in men with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to evaluate the semen parameters in the semen samples obtained by this method. Sixty-nine patients with SCI underwent PM as a trial for semen retrieval. History taking, examination and hormonal assay analysis (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and testosterone) were performed in all patients. Patients were grouped as follows: group 'A' where sperm could be successfully retrieved by PM and group 'B' where no sperm could be retrieved. PM resulted in the production of prostatic secretion in 51 patients (73.9%) and no secretion was obtained in 18 patients. Spermatozoa were successfully retrieved in only 22 patients (31.9%). The semen analysis of the sperm-positive samples showed asthenoteratozoospermia with decreased vitality and increased number of leucocytes. Semen collection by PM was significantly higher in patients with an SCI level above T10. PM is a safe and simple outpatient clinic procedure that can be easily used to retrieve semen in men with SCI.     

Evolution of sperm quality in men living in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator possibly correlated with decreasing dioxins emission levels

The objective was to examine the impact on sperm parameters of environmental exposure to dioxins around a municipal waste incinerator initially with high emission levels and during reduction levels. An ecological study with quasi‐experimental conditions was performed in patients of a reproductive laboratory. The first semen analyses of 251 men living in Besançon, France, between 2001 and 2007, were included. To analyse the contribution of direct exposure (inhalation), the calendar time was dichotomised in two periods 2001–2003 versus 2004–2007 and used as a proxy for exposure. Regarding the indirect exposure pathway (food), the statistical analysis was made with a nonparametric test to assess the trends. There was a negative correlation between the year of exposure and the percentage of abnormal mid‐piece and the multiple abnormalities index, even after adjusting for age and days abstention from inter‐course. A positive correlation was found between the progressive motile sperm count and the period of exposure. These findings are to be put into the context of a drastic reduction in emissions of dioxins. Our results suggest an effect of chronic exposure to dioxins on spermiogenesis with more abnormalities. These results should be confirmed with concentration measurements of dioxins in infertile men.