New evidence of the influence of exogenous and endogenous factors on sperm count in man

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology Vol. 110; no. 1; pp. 49 - 54
• Main Authors: Wong, Wai Yee, Zielhuis, Gerhard A., Thomas, Chris M.G., Merkus, Hans M.W.M., Steegers-Theunissen, Régine P.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 10.09.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Diet; Environmental Exposure; Female; Fruit; Fruits; Gastrointestinal Diseases - complications; Gastrointestinal problems; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Heat; Humans; Infertility, Female - genetics; Life Style; Logistic Models; Male; Male genital diseases; Medical sciences; Multivariate logistic analysis; Mumps - complications; Non tumoral diseases; Occupational Exposure; Oligospermia - epidemiology; Oligospermia - etiology; Pesticides; Pesticides - adverse effects; Risk Factors; Sperm Count; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vegetables; Welding; Gastrointestinal problems; Heat; Vegetables; Multivariate logistic analysis; Pesticides; Fruits; Human; Exogenous; Sperm count; Male; Occupational exposure; Semen disorders; Oligospermia; Endogenous; Risk factor; Environmental effect; Male sterility; Male genital diseases
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/S0301-2115(03)00162-3

Objective: To examine the association between individual exposures due to occupation, environment and lifestyle on sperm count, we conducted a case-control study among 92 fertile and 73 sub-fertile Caucasian males. Study Design: Data from questionnaires were analysed using simple univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: At risk for oligozoospermia are men exposed to pesticides (odds ratio (OR) 8.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–52.1), welding (OR 2.8; CI 0.9–8.7), antibiotic use (OR 15.4; CI 1.4–163), a history of mumps (OR 2.9; CI 1.3–6.7), gastrointestinal complaints (OR 6.2; CI 1.4–26.8), decreased intake of fruits (OR 2.3; CI 1.0–5.1), vegetables (OR 1.9; CI 0.7–5.0), or with female fertility disorders in their families (OR 8.4; CI 1.7–41.9). Unlike other studies, no associations were observed between oligozoospermia and exposure to paint or heat. Conclusion: This study suggests new risk factors oligozoospermia in man and confirms previously reported results from others.