1
|
Daniels D, Berger Eberhardt A. Climate change, microplastics, and male infertility. Curr Opin Urol 2024; 34:366-370. [PMID: 38932480 DOI: 10.1097/mou.0000000000001201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Semen quality is on the decline. While the etiology is unknown, recent literature suggests there may be a relationship between climate change, environmental toxins and male fertility. This review relays new information regarding associations between our environment and male infertility. RECENT FINDINGS Several recent studies have documented a negative association between heat stress and spermatogenesis, which suggests that climate change may be a factor in declining in sperm counts. The influence of particle pollution on spermatogenesis has also been recently investigated, with studies demonstrating a negative association. Another possible factor are microplastics, which have been posited to reduce sperm production. Recent animal studies have shown that microplastic exposure alters both adult sperm production and prenatal male genital development. The relationship between endocrine disrupting chemicals and male fertility remains an area of active study, with recent animal and human studies suggesting an association between these chemicals and male fertility. SUMMARY The etiology of the decline in male fertility over the past decades is yet unknown. However, changes in our environment as seen with climate change and exposure to pollutants and endocrine disrupting chemicals are proposed mechanisms for this decline. Further studies are needed to investigate this association further.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra Berger Eberhardt
- Member of the Faculty, Harvard Medical School, Associate Surgeon, Brigham and Women's Hospital Department of Urology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cai K, Wang L, Tong Y, Pu X, Guo T, Xu H, Xie J, Wang L, Bai T. Negative association of atmospheric pollutants with semen quality: A cross-sectional study in Taiyuan, China. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 284:116941. [PMID: 39208577 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent decades, the quality of male semen has decreased worldwide. Air pollution has been linked to lower semen quality in several studies. However, the effects of atmospheric pollutants on different semen characteristics have not always been consistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the Air Quality Index (AQI) and six atmospheric pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3), semen quality, and their key exposure window periods. METHODS This study included 1711 semen samples collected at the reproductive clinics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, from October 10, 2021, to September 30, 2022. We evaluated the association of AQI and six atmospheric pollutants with semen quality parameters throughout sperm development and three key exposure windows in men using single-pollutant models, double-pollutant models, and subgroup analyses of semen quality-eligible groups. RESULTS Both the single-pollutant model and subgroup analyses showed that PM, CO, and O3 levels were negatively correlated with total and progressive motility. At 70-90 d before semen collection, CO exposure and semen volume (β =-1.341, 95 % CI: -1.805, -0.877, P <0.001), total motility (β =-2.593, 95 % CI: -3.425, -1.761, P <0.001), and progressive motility (β =-4.658, 95 % CI: -5.556, -3.760, P <0.001) were negatively correlated. At 0-9 days before semen collection, CO was negatively correlated with normal morphology (β =-3.403, 95 % CI: -5.099, -1.708, P <0.001). Additionally, the AQI was adversely associated with total and progressive motility in subgroup analyses of the semen quality-eligible groups. CONCLUSIONS During the entire sperm development process, multiple air pollutants were determined to have an adverse correlation with semen quality parameters. AQI was significant marker for the combined effects of various atmospheric pollutants on male reproductive health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ke Cai
- Department of Child and Adolescents Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Child and Adolescents Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China; Center for Early Childhood Development, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Yujun Tong
- Department of Pathology, the First Clinical School of Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Xin Pu
- Department of Child and Adolescents Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Tingyu Guo
- Department of Child and Adolescents Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Hexiang Xu
- Department of Pathology, the First Clinical School of Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Jialin Xie
- Department of Pathology, the First Clinical School of Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Liyan Wang
- Fenyang Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Luliang 032200, China
| | - Tao Bai
- Department of Child and Adolescents Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China; Department of Pathology, the First Clinical School of Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zheng S, Jiang J, Shu Z, Qiu C, Jiang L, Zhao N, Lin X, Qian Y, Liang B, Qiu L. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) induces testosterone disruption by triggering ferroptosis through SIRT1/HIF-1α signaling pathway in male mice. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 221:40-51. [PMID: 38759901 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a significant component of air pollution particulate matter, is inevitable and closely associated with increasing male reproductive disorder. However, the testicular targets of PM2.5 and its toxicity related molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. In this study, the conditional knockout (cKO) mice and primary Leydig cells were used to explore the testicular targets of PM2.5 and the related underlying mechanisms. First, apparent the structure impairment of seminiferous tubules, Leydig cells vacuolization, decline of serum testosterone and sperm quality reduction were found in male wild-type (WT) and Sirt1 knockout mice after exposure to PM2.5. Enrichment analyses revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in steroid hormone biosynthesis, ferroptosis, and HIF-1 signaling pathway in the mice testes after exposure to PM2.5, which were subsequently verified by the molecular biological analyses. Notably, similar enrichment analyses results were also observed in primary Leydig cells after treatment with PM2.5. In addition, Knockdown of Sirt1 significantly increased PM2.5-induced expression and activation of HIF-1α, which was in parallel to the changes of cellular iron levels, oxidative stress indicators and the ferroptosis markers. In conclusion, this highlights that PM2.5 triggers ferroptosis via SIRT1/HIF-1α signaling pathway to inhibit testosterone synthesis in males. These findings provide a novel research support for the study that PM2.5 causes male reproductive injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaokai Zheng
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, 226019, PR China
| | - Jinchen Jiang
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, 226019, PR China
| | - Zhenhao Shu
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, 226019, PR China
| | - Chong Qiu
- Medical School, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Rd, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - Lianlian Jiang
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, 226019, PR China
| | - Nannan Zhao
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, 226019, PR China
| | - Xiaojun Lin
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, 226019, PR China
| | - Yingyun Qian
- Graduate School, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, 226019, PR China
| | - Bo Liang
- Department of Ultrasound, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, 6 Hai'er Lane North Rd, Nantong, 226019, PR China.
| | - Lianglin Qiu
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, 226019, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dai X, Liu G, Pan C, Li F, Liu Y, Liu J, Chen G, Zhang M, Fei Q, Zheng J, Huang H, Wu Z. Individual and joint associations of air pollutants exposure with semen quality: A retrospective longitudinal study in Wenzhou, China. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2024:10.1007/s00420-024-02095-7. [PMID: 39060503 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-024-02095-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The impact of air pollution on semen quality has been confirmed, yet the joint effect remains unclear. We evaluate the individual and joint associations of particulate (PM2.5 and PM10) and gaseous pollutants (NO2, SO2, O3 and CO) with semen quality. METHODS We included 5,114 men in this study from 2014 to 2022. The individual and joint associations were measured by multiple linear regression models. RESULTS Sperm motility and semen volume were inversely associated with pollutant concentrations during every stage of sperm development, especially at lag days 0-9 and 10-14 (all P < 0.05). Stratified analyses showed that the study pollutants (except CO) had a positive effect on semen concentration during the stage of sperm development, especially in spring and autumn, while a decreased total sperm number was associated with CO (all P < 0.05). However, joint associations of particulate and gaseous pollutants with semen quality parameters were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS During all stages of sperm development, particulate and gaseous pollutants had individual negative impacts on sperm motility and semen volume, and these impacts were less pronounced in spring and autumn. Our findings highlight the importance and necessity of reducing the exposure to pollutants especially in the critical stage of sperm development to improve semen quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuchao Dai
- The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Guangyuan Liu
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Chengshuang Pan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Feidi Li
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Yawen Liu
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Hospital Infection Control Management Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Mengqi Zhang
- School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Qianjin Fei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Jiujia Zheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Hong Huang
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
| | - Zhigang Wu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, 324000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zheng S, Jiang L, Qiu L. The effects of fine particulate matter on the blood-testis barrier and its potential mechanisms. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2024; 39:233-249. [PMID: 36863426 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
With the rapid expansion of industrial scale, an increasing number of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has bringing health concerns. Although exposure to PM2.5 has been clearly associated with male reproductive toxicity, the exact mechanisms are still unclear. Recent studies demonstrated that exposure to PM2.5 can disturb spermatogenesis through destroying the blood-testis barrier (BTB), consisting of different junction types, containing tight junctions (TJs), gap junctions (GJs), ectoplasmic specialization (ES) and desmosomes. The BTB is one of the tightest blood-tissue barriers among mammals, which isolating germ cells from hazardous substances and immune cell infiltration during spermatogenesis. Therefore, once the BTB is destroyed, hazardous substances and immune cells will enter seminiferous tubule and cause adversely reproductive effects. In addition, PM2.5 also has shown to cause cells and tissues injury via inducing autophagy, inflammation, sex hormones disorder, and oxidative stress. However, the exact mechanisms of the disruption of the BTB, induced by PM2.5, are still unclear. It is suggested that more research is required to identify the potential mechanisms. In this review, we aim to understand the adverse effects on the BTB after exposure to PM2.5 and explore its potential mechanisms, which provides novel insight into accounting for PM2.5-induced BTB injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaokai Zheng
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, P. R. China
| | - Lianlian Jiang
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, P. R. China
| | - Lianglin Qiu
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang Y, Wei J, Zhao S, Zeng Q, Sun S, Cao W. Ambient fine particulate matter constituents and semen quality among adult men in China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133313. [PMID: 38147745 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was associated with decreased semen quality, but the relationship between PM2.5 constituents and semen quality was unclear. We recruited 27,824 adult men attending an infertility clinic in Wuhan, China, between 2014 and 2020. We used a four-dimensional spatiotemporal deep forest model to estimate concentrations of PM2.5 mass and its chemical constituents, including organic matter (OM), black carbon (BC), sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+), and chloride (Cl-). We employed linear regression models to estimate the association between PM2.5 mass and its constituents with various sperm parameters. Exposure to PM2.5 was associated with a reduction in sperm quality, with a percent change of - 5.69% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -8.53%, -2.85%) for sperm density, - 15.09% (95% CI: -22.24%, -7.94%) for sperm total count, - 1.63% (95% CI: -2.36%, -0.91%) for sperm progressive motility, and - 2.30% (95% CI: -3.04%, -1.55%) for sperm total motility. Among specific constituents, exposure to OM, BC, Cl-, or NO3- was associated with a reduction in these four semen quality parameters. The association was more pronounced among older men or individuals with lower levels of education. Our findings suggest that PM2.5 mass and each constituent were associated with decreased semen quality in adult men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangchang Zhang
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
| | - Shi Zhao
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Qiang Zeng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Shengzhi Sun
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Laboratory of Allergic Diseases and Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing 100005, China; School of Public Health, The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Wangnan Cao
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cheng Y, Feng J, Wang J, Zhou Y, Bai S, Tang Q, Li J, Pan F, Xu Q, Lu C, Wu W, Xia Y. Alterations in sperm DNA methylation may as a mediator of paternal air pollution exposure and offspring birth outcomes: Insight from a birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 244:117941. [PMID: 38103775 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Paternal exposure to environmental risk factors influences the offspring health. This study aimed to evaluate the association between paternal air pollution exposure mediated by sperm DNA methylation and adverse birth outcomes in offspring. We recruited 1607 fertile men and their partners from 2014 to 2016 and collected semen samples to detect sperm DNA methylation. Multivariate linear regression and weighted quantile sum regression models were used to assess the associations between paternal air pollution exposure and offspring birth outcomes. A critical exposure window was identified. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing was used to detect sperm DNA methylation. The results demonstrated that high paternal exposure to PM2.5 (β = -211.31, 95% CI: (-386.37, -36.24)), PM10 (β = -178.20, 95% CI: (-277.13, -79.27)), and NO2 (β = -84.22, 95% CI: (-165.86, -2.57)) was negatively associated with offspring's birthweight, especially in boys. Additionally, an early exposure window of 15-69 days before fertilization was recognized to be the key exposure window, which increased the risk of low birth weight and small for gestational age. Furthermore, paternal co-exposure to six air pollutants contributed to lower birthweight (β = -51.91, 95% CI: (-92.72, -11.10)) and shorter gestational age (β = -1.72, 95% CI: (-3.26, -0.17)) and PM2.5 was the most weighted pollutant. Paternal air pollution exposure resulted in 10,328 differentially methylated regions and the IGF2R gene was the key gene involved in the epigenetic process. These differentially methylated genes were predominantly associated with protein binding, transcriptional regulation, and DNA templating. These findings indicate that spermatogenesis is a susceptible window during which paternal exposure to air pollution affects sperm DNA methylation and the birth outcomes of offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jialin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yijie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shengjun Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiuqin Tang
- Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- Department of Urology, Stanford Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Feng Pan
- Department of Urology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuncheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Schrott R, Feinberg JI, Newschaffer CJ, Hertz-Picciotto I, Croen LA, Fallin MD, Volk HE, Ladd-Acosta C, Feinberg AP. Exposure to air pollution is associated with DNA methylation changes in sperm. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2024; 10:dvae003. [PMID: 38559770 PMCID: PMC10980975 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvae003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to air pollutants has been associated with adverse health outcomes in adults and children who were prenatally exposed. In addition to reducing exposure to air pollutants, it is important to identify their biologic targets in order to mitigate the health consequences of exposure. One molecular change associated with prenatal exposure to air pollutants is DNA methylation (DNAm), which has been associated with changes in placenta and cord blood tissues at birth. However, little is known about how air pollution exposure impacts the sperm epigenome, which could provide important insights into the mechanism of transmission to offspring. In the present study, we explored whether exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter, particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or ozone (O3) was associated with DNAm in sperm contributed by participants in the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation prospective pregnancy cohort. Air pollution exposure measurements were calculated as the average exposure for each pollutant measured within 4 weeks prior to the date of sample collection. Using array-based genome-scale methylation analyses, we identified 80, 96, 35, and 67 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) significantly associated with particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter, particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter, NO2, and O3, respectively. While no DMRs were associated with exposure to all four pollutants, we found that genes overlapping exposure-related DMRs had a shared enrichment for gene ontology biological processes related to neurodevelopment. Together, these data provide compelling support for the hypothesis that paternal exposure to air pollution impacts DNAm in sperm, particularly in regions implicated in neurodevelopment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rose Schrott
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jason I Feinberg
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Craig J Newschaffer
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Heather E Volk
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Andrew P Feinberg
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Epigenetics, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Saleem A, Awan T, Akhtar MF. A comprehensive review on endocrine toxicity of gaseous components and particulate matter in smog. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1294205. [PMID: 38352708 PMCID: PMC10863453 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1294205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Smog is a form of extreme air pollution which comprises of gases such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen and carbon oxides, and solid particles including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). Different types of smog include acidic, photochemical, and Polish. Smog and its constituents are hazardaous to human, animals, and plants. Smog leads to plethora of morbidities such as cancer, endocrine disruption, and respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. Smog components alter the activity of various hormones including thyroid, pituitary, gonads and adrenal hormones by altering regulatory genes, oxidation status and the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Furthermore, these toxicants are responsible for the development of metabolic disorders, teratogenicity, insulin resistance, infertility, and carcinogenicity of endocrine glands. Avoiding fossil fuel, using renewable sources of energy, and limiting gaseous discharge from industries can be helpful to avoid endocrine disruption and other toxicities of smog. This review focuses on the toxic implications of smog and its constituents on endocrine system, their toxicodynamics and preventive measures to avoid hazardous health effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ammara Saleem
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Tanzeela Awan
- Department of Pharmacy, The Women University Multan, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Furqan Akhtar
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cheng Y, Zhu J, Tang Q, Wang J, Feng J, Zhou Y, Li J, Pan F, Han X, Lu C, Wang X, Langston ME, Chung BI, Wu W, Xia Y. Exposure to particulate matter may affect semen quality via trace metals: Evidence from a retrospective cohort study on fertile males. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 346:140582. [PMID: 38303402 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) exposure may be associated with male semen quality. Besides, PM exposure induces up and down levels of trace metals in tissues or organs. The levels of trace metals in semen are critical for adverse male semen quality. This study aims to evaluate the concentrations of seminal-level trace metals in fertile men and assess its associations with PM exposure and to explore the mediation role of trace metals in seminal plasma plays in the relationship between PM exposure and semen quality. Total 1225 fertile men who participated in a cohort study from 2014 to 2016 were finally recruited. Multivariate linear regression was applied to explore associations between each two of PM exposure, trace metals and semen parameters. 1-year PM2.5 and PM10 exposure levels were positively associated with arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd) but negatively associated with vanadium (V), magnesium (Mg), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) in semen. It was also found that most of the elements were associated with total sperm number, followed by sperm concentration. Redundancy analysis (RDA) also determined several strong positive correlations or negative correlations between 1-year PM exposure and trace metals. Mediation analysis found that trace metals had a potentially compensatory or synergetic indirect effect on the total effect of the association between 1-year PM exposure and semen quality. The retrospective cohort study provides long-term PM exposure that may cause abnormal semen quality by affecting seminal plasma element levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Qiuqin Tang
- Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jialin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yijie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- Department of Urology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Feng Pan
- Department of Urology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiumei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuncheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Marvin E Langston
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin I Chung
- Department of Urology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Montano L, Giorgini E, Notarstefano V, Notari T, Ricciardi M, Piscopo M, Motta O. Raman Microspectroscopy evidence of microplastics in human semen. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:165922. [PMID: 37532047 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in human fluids and organs is a great concern, since, as highlighted by recent studies on animal models, they could cause alterations of several physiological functions, including reproduction. In this study, semen samples collected from men living in a polluted area of the Campania Region (Southern Italy), were analyzed to assess the presence of MPs. N. 16 pigmented microplastic fragments (ranging from 2 to 6 μm in size) with spheric or irregular shapes were found in six out of ten samples. All the detected MPs were characterized in terms of morphology (size, colour, and shape) and chemical composition by Raman Microspectroscopy. Chemical composition showed the presence of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polyoxymethylene (POM) and acrylic, suggesting ingestion and/or inhalation as a route of exposure to environmental MPs. In this work, we propose for the first time a mechanism by which MPs pass into the semen most likely through the epididymis and seminal vesicles, which are the most susceptible to inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Montano
- Andrology Unit and Service of Lifestyle Medicine in UroAndrology, Local Health Authority (ASL) Salerno, Coordination Unit of the Network for Environmental and Reproductive Health (Eco-Food Fertility Project), "S. Francesco di Assisi Hospital", 84020 Oliveto Citra, SA, Italy; PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Giorgini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, DiSVA, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Valentina Notarstefano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, DiSVA, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, AN, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Notari
- Check-Up PolyDiagnostics and Research Laboratory, Andrology Unit, Viale Andrea De Luca 5, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Ricciardi
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Oriana Motta
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Deng X, Wang Q, Shi C, Wei J, Lv Z, Huang S, Duan YG, Zhang X, Liu Y. Heat wave exposure and semen quality in sperm donation volunteers: A retrospective longitudinal study in south China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116665. [PMID: 37451571 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested an association between non-optimum ambient temperature and decreased semen quality. However, the effect of exposure to heat waves on semen quality remains unclear. METHODS Volunteers who intended to donate sperm in Guangdong provincial human sperm bank enrolled. Heat waves were defined by temperature threshold and duration, with a total of 9 definitions were employed, specifying daily mean temperature exceeding the 85th, 90th, or 95th percentile for at least 2, 3, or 4 consecutive days. Residential exposure to heat waves during 0-90 days before ejaculation was evaluated using a validated gridded dataset on ambient temperature. Association and potential windows of susceptibility were evaluated and identified using linear mixed models and distributed lag non-linear models. RESULTS A total of 2183 sperm donation volunteers underwent 8632 semen analyses from 2018 to 2019. Exposure to heat wave defined as daily mean temperature exceeding the 95th percentile for at least 4 consecutive days (P95-D4) was significantly associated with a 0.11 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03, 0.18) ml, 3.36 (1.35, 5.38) × 106/ml, 16.93 (7.95, 25.91) × 106, and 2.11% (1.4%, 2.83%) reduction in semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, and normal forms, respectively; whereas exposure to heat wave defined as P90-D4 was significantly associated with a 1.98% (1.47%, 2.48%) and 2.08% (1.57%, 2.58%) reduction in total motility and progressive motility, respectively. Sperm count and morphology were susceptible to heat wave exposure during the early stage of spermatogenesis, while sperm motility was susceptible to exposure during the late stage. CONCLUSION Heat wave exposure was significantly associated with a reduction in semen quality. The windows of susceptibility during 0-90 days before ejaculation varied across sperm count, motility, and morphology. Our findings suggest that reducing heat wave exposure before ejaculation may benefit sperm donation volunteers and those attempting to conceive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Deng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Qiling Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute, Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510600, China
| | - Chunxiang Shi
- Meteorological Data Laboratory, National Meteorological Information Center, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20740, USA
| | - Ziquan Lv
- Central Laboratory of Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Suli Huang
- Department of Environment and Health, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Yong-Gang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Centre of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518053, China
| | - Xinzong Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute, Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510600, China.
| | - Yuewei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Nielsen JLM, Majzoub A, Esteves S, Humaidan P. Unraveling the Impact of Sperm DNA Fragmentation on Reproductive Outcomes. Semin Reprod Med 2023; 41:241-257. [PMID: 38092034 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in identifying subcellular causes of male infertility, and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) research has been at the forefront of this focus. DNA damage can occur during spermatogenesis due to faulty chromatin compaction or excessive abortive apoptosis. It can also happen as sperm transit through the genital tract, often induced by oxidative stress. There are several methods for SDF testing, with the sperm chromatin structure assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase d-UTI nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, comet assay, and sperm chromatin dispersion test being the most commonly used. Numerous studies strongly support the negative impact of SDF on male fertility potential. DNA damage has been linked to various morphological and functional sperm abnormalities, ultimately affecting natural conception and assisted reproductive technology outcomes. This evidence-based review aims to explore how SDF influences male reproduction and provide insights into available therapeutic options to minimize its detrimental impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeanett L M Nielsen
- The Fertility Clinic, Skive Regional Hospital, Skive, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark
| | - Ahmad Majzoub
- Department of Urology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Clinical Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sandro Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, Brazil
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Humaidan
- The Fertility Clinic, Skive Regional Hospital, Skive, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Barrett ES, Sharghi S, Thurston SW, Sobolewski Terry M, Loftus CT, Karr CJ, Nguyen RH, Swan SH, Sathyanarayana S. Associations of Exposure to Air Pollution during the Male Programming Window and Mini-Puberty with Anogenital Distance and Penile Width at Birth and at 1 Year of Age in the Multicenter U.S. TIDES Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:117001. [PMID: 37966231 PMCID: PMC10648757 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ambient air pollution may be a developmental endocrine disruptor. In animal models, gestational and perinatal exposure to diesel exhaust and concentrated particulate matter alters anogenital distance (AGD), a marker of prenatal androgen activity, in both sexes. Little is known in humans. OBJECTIVES We examined exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) in relation to human AGD at birth and at 1 year of age, focusing on exposures during critical windows of reproductive development: the male programming window (MPW; gestational weeks 8-14) and mini-puberty (postnatal months 1-3). METHODS The Infant Development and Environment Study (TIDES) recruited first trimester pregnant women (n = 687 ) at four U.S. sites (Minneapolis, Minnesota; Rochester, New York; San Francisco, California; and Seattle, Washington) from 2010 to 2012. We measured anus to clitoris (AGD-AC) and anus to fourchette (AGD-AF) in female infants at birth; in males, we measured anus to penis (AGD-AP), anus to scrotum (AGD-AS), and penile width at birth and at 1 year of age. Using advanced spatiotemporal models, we estimated maternal exposure to PM 2.5 and NO 2 in the MPW and mini-puberty. Covariate-adjusted, sex-stratified linear regression models examined associations between PM 2.5 and NO 2 and AGD. RESULTS In males, a 1 - μ g / m 3 increase in PM 2.5 exposure during the MPW was associated with shorter AGD at birth, but a longer AGD at 1 year of age (e.g., birth AGD-AP: β = - 0.35 mm ; 95% CI: - 0.62 , - 0.07 ; AGD-AS: β = 0.37 mm ; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.73). Mini-pubertal PM 2.5 exposure was also associated with shorter male AGD-AP (β = - 0.50 mm ; 95% CI: - 0.89 , - 0.11 ) at 1 year of age. Although not associated with male AGD measures, 1 -ppb increases in NO 2 exposure during the MPW (β = - 0.07 mm ; 95% CI: - 0.02 , - 0.12 ) and mini-puberty (β = - 0.04 mm ; 95% CI: - 0.08 , 0.01) were both associated with smaller penile width at 1 year of age. Results were similar in multipollutant models, where we also observed that in females AGD-AC was inversely associated with PM 2.5 exposure, but positively associated with NO 2 exposure. DISCUSSION PM 2.5 and NO 2 exposures during critical pre- and postnatal windows may disrupt reproductive development. More work is needed to confirm these novel results and clarify mechanisms. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12627.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily S. Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sima Sharghi
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sally W. Thurston
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Marissa Sobolewski Terry
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Christine T. Loftus
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Catherine J. Karr
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ruby H.N. Nguyen
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Shanna H. Swan
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lu ZH, Sun B, Wang YX, Wu YR, Chen YJ, Sun SZ, Liang SJ, Xu S, Chang H, Chen HG, Zhang J. Ozone exposure associates with sperm quality indicators: Sperm telomere length as a potential mediating factor. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132292. [PMID: 37591176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Evidence linking O3 exposure and human semen quality is limited and conflicting and the mechanism underlying the association remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the associations between ambient O3 exposure and sperm quality parameters and explored the mediating role of sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and sperm telomere length (STL) among 1068 potential sperm donors who provided 5002 repeated semen samples over approximately 90 days. We found that every 10 μg/m3 increase in O3 exposure was associated with a decrease in STL, sperm concentration, total count, total motile sperm number, and semen volume. However, O3 exposure was associated with increased total motility and progressive motility. The association for sperm quality parameters was stronger when exposure was measured at spermatogenesis stages I and II. For STL, the strongest association was observed when exposure was measured at spermatogenesis stage II. Additionally, we found that approximately 9% and 8% of the association between O3 exposure and sperm concentration and count was mediated by STL, respectively. In summary, our findings suggest that O3 pollution may affect sperm telomere length, eventually leading to reduced semen quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Hua Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Bin Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Division of Birth Cohort Study, Fujian Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yi-Xin Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Departments of Nutrition and Environmental Health, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ya-Ru Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yu-Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Sheng-Zhi Sun
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Jia Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Song Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hao Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Heng-Gui Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Clinical Research and Translation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Barros B, Oliveira M, Morais S. Continent-based systematic review of the short-term health impacts of wildfire emissions. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2023; 26:387-415. [PMID: 37469022 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2023.2236548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
This review systematically gathers and provides an analysis of pollutants levels emitted from wildfire (WF) and their impact on short-term health effects of affected populations. The available literature was searched according to Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome, and Study design (PECOS) database defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a meta-analysis was conducted whenever possible. Data obtained through PECOS characterized information from the USA, Europe, Australia, and some Asian countries; South American countries were seldom characterized, and no data were available for Africa and Russia. Extremely high levels of pollutants, mostly of fine fraction of particulate matter (PM) and ozone, were associated with intense WF emissions in North America, Oceania, and Asia and reported to exceed several-fold the WHO guidelines. Adverse health outcomes include emergency department visits and hospital admissions for cardiorespiratory diseases as well as mortality. Despite the heterogeneity among exposure and health assessment methods, all-cause mortality, and specific-cause mortality were significantly associated with WF emissions in most of the reports. Globally, a significant association was found for all-cause respiratory outcomes including asthma, but mixed results were noted for cardiovascular-related effects. For the latter, estimates were only significant several days after WF emissions, suggesting a more delayed impact on the heart. Different research gaps are presented, including the need for the application of standardized protocols for assessment of both exposure and adverse health risks. Mitigation actions also need to be strengthened, including dedicated efforts to communicate with the affected populations, to engage them for adoption of protective behaviors and measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bela Barros
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Instituto Politécnico Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Oliveira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Instituto Politécnico Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Simone Morais
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Instituto Politécnico Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mai H, Ke J, Li M, He M, Qu Y, Jiang F, Cai S, Xu Y, Fu L, Pi L, Zhou H, Yu H, Che D, Gu X, Zhang J, Zuo L. Association of living environmental and occupational factors with semen quality in chinese men: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15671. [PMID: 37735181 PMCID: PMC10514289 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42927-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm quality can be easily influenced by living environmental and occupational factors. This study aimed to discover potential semen quality related living environmental and occupational factors, expand knowledge of risk factors for semen quality, strengthen men's awareness of protecting their own fertility and assist the clinicians to judge the patient's fertility. 465 men without obese or underweight (18.5 < BMI < 28.5 kg/m2), long-term medical history and history of drug use, were recruited between June 2020 to July 2021, they are in reproductive age (25 < age < 45 years). We have collected their semen analysis results and clinical information. Logistic regression was applied to evaluate the association of semen quality with different factors. We found that living environment close to high voltage line (283.4 × 106/ml vs 219.8 × 106/ml, Cohen d = 0.116, P = 0.030) and substation (309.1 × 106/ml vs 222.4 × 106/ml, Cohen d = 0.085, P = 0.015) will influence sperm count. Experienced decoration in the past 6 months was a significant factor to sperm count (194.2 × 106/ml vs 261.0 × 106/ml, Cohen d = 0.120, P = 0.025). Living close to chemical plant will affect semen PH (7.5 vs 7.2, Cohen d = 0.181, P = 0.001). Domicile close to a power distribution room will affect progressive sperm motility (37.0% vs 34.0%, F = 4.773, Cohen d = 0.033, P = 0.030). Using computers will affect both progressive motility sperm (36.0% vs 28.1%, t = 2.762, Cohen d = 0.033, P = 0.006) and sperm total motility (57.0% vs 41.0%, Cohen d = 0.178, P = 0.009). After adjust for potential confounding factors (age and BMI), our regression model reveals that living close to high voltage line is a risk factor for sperm concentration (Adjusted OR 4.03, 95% CI 1.15-14.18, R2 = 0.048, P = 0.030), living close to Chemical plants is a protective factor for sperm concentration (Adjusted OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05-0.46, R2 = 0.048, P = 0.001) and total sperm count (Adjusted OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.13-0.99, R2 = 0.026, P = 0.049). Time spends on computer will affect sperm total motility (Adjusted OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.11-4.73, R2 = 0.041, P = 0.025). Sum up, our results suggested that computer using, living and working surroundings (voltage line, substation and chemical plants, transformer room), and housing decoration may association with low semen quality. Suggesting that some easily ignored factors may affect male reproductive ability. Couples trying to become pregnant should try to avoid exposure to associated risk factors. The specific mechanism of risk factors affecting male reproductive ability remains to be elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanran Mai
- Department of Clinical Biological Resource Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
- Department of Andrology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Junyi Ke
- Department of Clinical Biological Resource Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
- Department of Andrology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Miaomiao Li
- Department of Clinical Biological Resource Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
- Department of Andrology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Menghua He
- Department of Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Yanxia Qu
- Department of Gynecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Fan Jiang
- Prenatal Diagnostic Center, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Simian Cai
- Department of Science, Education and Data Management, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Yufen Xu
- Department of Clinical Biological Resource Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Lanyan Fu
- Department of Clinical Biological Resource Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Lei Pi
- Department of Clinical Biological Resource Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Huazhong Zhou
- Department of Clinical Biological Resource Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Hongyan Yu
- Department of Clinical Biological Resource Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Di Che
- Department of Clinical Biological Resource Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Gu
- Department of Clinical Biological Resource Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Jinxin Zhang
- Department of Medical Statistics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Liandong Zuo
- Department of Andrology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wang L, Xu T, Wang Q, Ni H, Yu X, Song C, Li Y, Li F, Meng T, Sheng H, Cai X, Dai T, Xiao L, Zeng Q, Guo P, Wei J, Zhang X. Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter Constituents and Human Semen Quality Decline: A Multicenter Study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:13025-13035. [PMID: 37608438 PMCID: PMC10483896 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM < 2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5]) may accelerate human sperm quality decline, although research on this association is limited. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between exposure to the chemical constituents of PM2.5 air pollution and decreased sperm quality and to further explore the exposure-response relationship. We conducted a multicenter population-based cohort study including 78,952 semen samples from 33,234 donors at 6 provincial human sperm banks (covering central, northern, southern, eastern, and southwestern parts of China) between 2014 and 2020. Daily exposure to PM2.5 chemical composition was estimated using a deep learning model integrating a density ground-based measure network at a 1 km resolution. Linear mixed models with subject- and center-specific intercepts were used to quantify the harmful impacts of PM2.5 constituents on semen quality and explore their exposure-response relationships. Per interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 exposure levels during spermatogenesis was significantly associated with decreased sperm concentration, progressive motility, and total motility. For PM2.5 constituents, per IQR increment in Cl- (β: -0.02, 95% CI: [-0.03, -0.00]) and NO3- (β: -0.05, 95% CI: [-0.08, -0.02]) exposure was negatively associated with sperm count, while NH4+ (β: -0.03, 95% CI: [-0.06, -0.00]) was significantly linked to decreased progressive motility. These results suggest that exposure to PM2.5 chemical constituents may adversely affect human sperm quality, highlighting the urgent need to reduce PM2.5 exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingxi Wang
- Department
of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University
Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department
of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University
Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Qiling Wang
- National
Health Commission Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangzhou 510600, China
- Department
of Andrology, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive
Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), Guangzhou 510600, China
| | - Haobo Ni
- Department
of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University
Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Xiaolin Yu
- Department
of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University
Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Chunying Song
- Human
Sperm Bank, The Shanxi Bethune Hospital,
Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan 030032, China
| | - Yushan Li
- Human
Sperm Bank, The Third Affiliated Hospital
of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Fuping Li
- Human
Sperm
Bank, the Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of
Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tianqing Meng
- Reproductive
Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Human
Sperm Bank, Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Huiqiang Sheng
- Human
Sperm Bank, The Zhejiang Provincial Maternal
and Child and Reproductive Health Care Center, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Xiaoyan Cai
- Department
of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University
Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Tingting Dai
- Department
of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University
Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Lina Xiao
- Department
of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University
Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Qinghui Zeng
- Department
of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University
Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Pi Guo
- Department
of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University
Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department
of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary
Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20740, United States
| | - Xinzong Zhang
- National
Health Commission Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangzhou 510600, China
- Department
of Andrology, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive
Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), Guangzhou 510600, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Liu J, Dai Y, Li R, Yuan J, Wang Q, Wang L. Does air pollution exposure affect semen quality? Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 93,996 Chinese men. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1219340. [PMID: 37601219 PMCID: PMC10435904 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1219340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Air pollution may impair male fertility, but it remains controversial whether air pollution affects semen quality until now. Objectives We undertake a meta-analysis to explore potential impacts of six pollutants exposure during the entire window (0-90 days prior to ejaculation) and critical windows (0-9, 10-14, and 70-90 days prior to ejaculation) on semen quality. Methods Seven databases were retrieved for original studies on the effects of six pollutants exposure for 90 days prior to ejaculation on semen quality. The search process does not limit the language and search date. We only included original studies that reported regression coefficients (β) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The β and 95% CIs were pooled using the DerSimonian-Laird random effect models. Results PM2.5 exposure was related with decreased total sperm number (10-14 lag days) and total motility (10-14, 70-90, and 0-90 lag days). PM10 exposure was related with reduced total sperm number (70-90 and 0-90 lag days) and total motility (0-90 lag days). NO2 exposure was related with reduced total sperm number (70-90 and 0-90 lag days). SO2 exposure was related with declined total motility (0-9, 10-14, 0-90 lag days) and total sperm number (0-90 lag days). Conclusion Air pollution affects semen quality making it necessary to limit exposure to air pollution for Chinese men. When implementing protective measures, it is necessary to consider the key period of sperm development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Liu
- Henan Human Sperm Bank, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanpeng Dai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Runqing Li
- The Neonatal Screening Center in Henan Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiayi Yuan
- The Neonatal Screening Center in Henan Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Quanxian Wang
- Henan Human Sperm Bank, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Linkai Wang
- Henan Human Sperm Bank, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhao Q, Zhu L, Weng J, Jin Z, Cao Y, Jiang H, Zhang Z. Detection and characterization of microplastics in the human testis and semen. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 877:162713. [PMID: 36948312 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The health risk of microplastics (MPs) is a growing global concern. Evidence of reproductive health damage caused by the accumulation of MPs in males is still lacking. In the present study, 6 testis and 30 semen samples were collected, and MPs were detected using both pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and laser direct infrared spectroscopy (LD-IR). The results showed that MPs were detected in both testis and semen, with an average abundance of 0.23 ± 0.45 particles/mL in semen and 11.60 ± 15.52 particles/g in testis. Microplastics in the testis were composed of polystyrene (PS) with 67.7 %, while polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were the predominant polymers in semen. Compared to fragments, fiber, and film detected in semen, the fragment was the main shape the in testis. The sizes of these microplastics ranged from 21.76 μm to 286.71 μm, and most (67 % and 80.6 %) were 20-100 μm in semen and testis. In summary, this study revealed for the first time that MPs pollute the human male reproductive system and that various MP characteristics appear in different regions, which provides critical information and basic data for the risk assessment of MPs to human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiancheng Zhao
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Long Zhu
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jiaming Weng
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zirun Jin
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yalei Cao
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China.
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Xu R, Zhong Y, Li R, Li Y, Zhong Z, Liu T, Wang Q, Lv Z, Huang S, Duan YG, Zhang X, Liu Y. Association between exposure to ambient air pollution and semen quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 870:161892. [PMID: 36731563 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence has linked exposure to ambient air pollution to a reduction in semen quality; however, the exposure-response associations are yet to be synthesized. OBJECTIVE To summarize the exposure-response associations between air pollution and semen quality. METHODS We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for relevant studies published before April 20, 2022. Studies investigating the exposure-response association of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 with semen quality written in English were included. Semen quality parameters included semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, total motility, progressive motility, and normal forms. Random-effects and fixed-effects models were performed to synthesize associations in the meta-analysis. RESULTS The search returned 850 studies, 11 of which were eligible for meta-analysis. Each 10 μg/m3 increase of exposure to PM10 and SO2 was respectively associated with a 2.18 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.10 %-4.21 %) and 8.61 % (1.00 %-15.63 %) reduction in sperm concentration, and a 2.76 % (0.10 %-5.35 %) and 9.52 % (5.82 %-13.93 %) reduction in total sperm number. Each 10 μg/m3 increase of exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 was respectively associated with a 1.06 % (95 % CI: 0.31 %-1.82 %) and 0.75 % (0.43 %-1.08 %) reduction in total motility, and a 0.55 % (0.09 %-1.01 %) and 0.31 % (0.06 %-0.56 %) reduction in progressive motility. No association was observed for PM2.5 or PM10 with semen volume; PM2.5, NO2, CO, or O3 with sperm concentration or total sperm number; and gaseous air pollutants with total or progressive motility. The association between air pollution and normal forms was not summarized due to insufficient number of studies. No significant publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to ambient PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 was inversely associated with sperm concentration, total sperm number, total motility, and/or progressive motility. Our findings add to the evidence that air pollution may lead to adverse effects on male reproductive system and suggest that reducing exposure to air pollution may help maintain better semen quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruijun Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanling Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingxin Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zihua Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiling Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute, Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziquan Lv
- Central laboratory of Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Suli Huang
- Department of Environment and Health, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yong-Gang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Centre of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinzong Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute, Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuewei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Zhang F, Li H, Xu W, Song G, Wang Z, Mao X, Wei Y, Dai M, Zhang Y, Shen Q, Fu F, Tan J, Ge L, He X, Yin T, Yang S, Li S, Yang P, Jia P, Zhang Y. Sulfur dioxide may predominate in the adverse effects of ambient air pollutants on semen quality among the general population in Hefei, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 867:161472. [PMID: 36638985 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported potential adverse effects of exposure to ambient air pollutants on semen quality in infertile men, but studies on the general population have been limited and inconsistent, and the pollutants that play a major role remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential association between exposure to six air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, O3 and CO) during different sperm development periods and semen quality among the general population, and to explore the interaction between different air pollutant exposures. We included 1515 semen samples collected from the Human Sperm Bank. We improved individuals' exposure level estimation by combining inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation with satellite remote sensing data. Multivariate linear regression models, restricted cubic spline functions and double-pollutant models were used to assess the relationship between exposure to six air pollutants and sperm volume, concentration, total sperm number and sperm motility. A negative association was found between SO2 exposure and progressive motility and total motility during 0-90 lag days and 70-90 lag days, and SO2 exposure during 10-14 lag days adversely affected sperm concentration and total sperm number. Sensitive analyses for qualified sperm donors and the double-pollutant models obtained similar results. Additionally, there were nonlinear relationships between exposure to PM, NO2, O3, CO and a few semen parameters, with NO2 and O3 exposure above the threshold showing negative correlations with total motility and progressive motility, respectively. Our study suggested that SO2 may play a dominant role in the adverse effects of ambient air pollutants on semen quality in the general population by decreasing sperm motility, sperm concentration and total sperm number. Also, even SO2 exposure lower than the recommended standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) could still cause male reproductive toxicity, which deserves attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hang Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Anhui Provincial Human Sperm Bank, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wenting Xu
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; International Institute of Spatial Lifecourse Health (ISLE), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ge Song
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhanpeng Wang
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; International Institute of Spatial Lifecourse Health (ISLE), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaohong Mao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Anhui Provincial Human Sperm Bank, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yiqiu Wei
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mengyang Dai
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuying Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qunshan Shen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Anhui Provincial Human Sperm Bank, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Feifei Fu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Anhui Provincial Human Sperm Bank, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jing Tan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Anhui Provincial Human Sperm Bank, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Ge
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Anhui Provincial Human Sperm Bank, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Anhui Provincial Human Sperm Bank, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Tailang Yin
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shujuan Yang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; International Institute of Spatial Lifecourse Health (ISLE), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Siwei Li
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Pan Yang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Peng Jia
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Hubei Luojia Laboratory, Wuhan, Hubei, China; International Institute of Spatial Lifecourse Health (ISLE), Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Institute of Translational Medicine, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Dai X, Chen G, Zhang M, Mei K, Liu Y, Ding C, Chang Y, Wu Z, Huang H. Exposure to ambient particulate matter affects semen quality: A case study in Wenzhou, China. Andrology 2023; 11:444-455. [PMID: 36252264 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Particulate matter (PM), including PM2.5 (PM ≤ 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter) and PM10 (PM ≤ 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter), is a component of air pollutants, which is linked to semen quality. However, the available evidence of association needs to be strengthened, and some studies have conflicting results. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the potential impacts of PM on semen quality during the full (0-90 days before semen examination) and three key sperm development windows (0-9, 10-14, and 70-90 days before semen examination). METHODS We included 1494 infertile men in the main urban area in Wenzhou, China, who had undergone semen examinations for fertility between 2014 and 2019. The impacts were assessed by multivariable linear regression models. RESULTS Overall, during the full sperm development window, PM2.5 and PM10 exposures were associated with declined progressive sperm motility (%) (β: -0.6; 95% confidence intervals (CIs): -1.07, -0.13 and -0.46; -0.59, -0.33) and total sperm motility (%) (-1.95; -2.67, -1.23 and -1.32; -1.82, -0.82), and associated with increased sperm concentration (106 /ml) (0.02; 0.006, 0.023 and 0.007; 0.001, 0.013) and total sperm number (106 ) (0.02; 0.01, 0.03 and 0.011; 0.004, 0.017). Furthermore, only PM2.5 exposure during the 10-14 days window was significantly associated with declined progressive motility (%) (-0.207; -0.395, -0.023). CONCLUSIONS During the full sperm development window, PM exposure has an adverse impact on sperm motility and positive impacts on sperm concentration and total sperm number. The adverse impact was more severe in the 10-14 days window.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuchao Dai
- School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Gang Chen
- School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Mengqi Zhang
- School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Kun Mei
- School of Geography Science and Geomatics Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanlong Liu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Cheng Ding
- Department of Respiratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yanxiang Chang
- School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Wu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Assessment Center of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hong Huang
- Research Center for Healthy China, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Dai XC, Zhang MQ, Chen G, Mei K, Liu YL, Huang H, Wu ZG. Will male semen quality improve with environmental quality? Asian J Androl 2023; 25:252-258. [PMID: 35848705 PMCID: PMC10069693 DOI: 10.4103/aja202239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Wenzhou has improved its environmental quality because of comprehensive environmental remediation; nevertheless, the semen quality of infertile males remains unclear. This study determined whether better environmental quality improved semen quality in this region. We recorded semen quality data from 22 962 infertile males from January 2014 to November 2019 at the Center for Reproductive Health of The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Wenzhou, China). Patients were predominantly 30-35 years old (33.1%) and workers (82.0%), with high school education or lower (77.6%); more than a half of the patients (52.6%) were Wenzhou household registration; and most patients (77.5%) had abnormal semen quality. Patients who were older than 40 years and workers, and those with Wenzhou household registration, had significantly worse semen quality (all P < 0.05). From 2014 to 2019, progressive sperm motility, total sperm motility, and semen volume showed increasing linear trends in all patients (P = 0.021, 0.030, and 0.005, respectively), yet normal sperm morphology showed a linearly decreasing trend (P = 0.046). Sensitivity analyses for subgroups yielded similar results. In conclusion, the improvement of environmental quality and better function of the accessory glands are associated with progressive sperm motility, total sperm motility, and semen volume. Normal sperm morphology is influenced by occupational exposures and personal lifestyle and does not improve with environmental quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Chao Dai
- School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Meng-Qi Zhang
- School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Gang Chen
- School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Kun Mei
- School of Geography Science and Geomatics Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Yan-Long Liu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Hong Huang
- Research Center for Healthy China, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Wu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China.,Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Assessment Center of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ma Y, Peng X, Pan Z, Hu C, Xia Q, Cai G, Cao Y, Pan F. Linear and non-linear relationships between sulfur dioxide and semen quality: A longitudinal study in Anhui, China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114731. [PMID: 36368370 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Existing evidence indicates that ambient air pollutants pose a threat to human semen quality; however, these findings are sparse and controversial. Besides, their non-linear dose-response relationship has not yet been well investigated. This study aimed to explore the linear and non-linear associations of gaseous air pollutants exposure with semen quality based on a large longitudinal cohort. A total of 15,112 males (with 28,267 semen tests) from the Anhui prospective assisted reproduction cohort were analyzed. Individual air pollutants exposure before semen tests in four exposure windows (i.e., 0-9, 10-14, 70-90, and 0-90 days) were estimated by inverse distance weighting interpolation. Linear mixed-effects models, cubic spline analysis and piecewise regression were used to test the potential linear and non-linear dose-response relationships. Ambient SO2 exposure was negatively associated with all semen quality parameters (all p values < 0.05), except for the progressive motility in the 0-90 and 70-90 days exposure windows. There were 'J' or 'U' shaped dose-response relationships of ambient SO2 exposure with total sperm count, progressive motility, total motility, progressively motile sperm count, and total motile sperm count (p values for non-linearity < 0.05), but not sperm concentration. Piecewise regression analysis also indicated a negative association of SO2 exposure with semen quality only when SO2 exposure was below the cut-off points identified by cubic spline analyses, which were all smaller than 40 μg/m3, the 2021 updated WHO air quality guideline level for SO2 exposure. Overall, we found that SO2 exposure was negatively associated with semen quality. Ambient SO2 exposure could reach the maximum hazardous dose even below the WHO air quality guideline level for SO2 exposure, suggesting a refinement to the current guideline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yubo Ma
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, 81 Meishan Road, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoqing Peng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; School of Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhipeng Pan
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chengyang Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Humanistic Medicine, School of Humanistic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qing Xia
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Guoqi Cai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, 81 Meishan Road, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Faming Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, 81 Meishan Road, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|