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Chorley BN, Klinefelter GR, Nelson GM, Strader LF, Nguyen HH, Schladweiler MC, Palmer G, Moore ML, Grindstaff RD, Padgett WT, Carswell GK, Fisher AA, Kodavanti UP, Dye JA, Miller CN. Episodic ozone exposure in Long-Evans rats has limited effects on cauda sperm motility and non-coding RNA populations. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 128:108631. [PMID: 38830453 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence suggests the potential for air pollutants to induce male reproductive toxicity. In experimental studies, exposure to ozone during sensitive windows in the sperm lifecycle has been associated with impaired sperm motility. Subsequently, we sought to investigate the effects of episodic exposure to ozone during sperm maturation in the rat. Long-Evans rats were exposed to either filtered air or ozone (0.4 or 0.8 ppm) for five non-consecutive days over two weeks. Ozone exposure did not impact male reproductive organ weights or sperm motility ∼24 hours following the final exposure. Furthermore, circulating sex hormones remained unchanged despite increased T3 and T4 in the 0.8 ppm group. While there was indication of altered adrenergic signaling attributable to ozone exposure in the testis, there were minimal impacts on small non-coding RNAs detected in cauda sperm. Only two piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) were altered in the mature sperm of ozone-exposed rats (piR-rno-346434 and piR-rno-227431). Data across all rats were next analyzed to identify any non-coding RNAs that may be correlated with reduced sperm motility. A total of 7 microRNAs (miRNAs), 8 RNA fragments, and 1682 piRNAs correlated well with sperm motility. Utilizing our exposure paradigm herein, we were unable to substantiate the relationship between ozone exposure during maturation with sperm motility. However, these approaches served to identify a suite of non-coding RNAs that were associated with sperm motility in rats. With additional investigation, these RNAs may prove to have functional roles in the acquisition of motility or be unique biomarkers for male reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian N Chorley
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Gary R Klinefelter
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Gail M Nelson
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Lillian F Strader
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Helen H Nguyen
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Mette C Schladweiler
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Grant Palmer
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Makala L Moore
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Rachel D Grindstaff
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - William T Padgett
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Gleta K Carswell
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Anna A Fisher
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Urmila P Kodavanti
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Janice A Dye
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Colette N Miller
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.
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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.
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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.
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Shen Z, Zhang F, Guo Z, Qu R, Wei Y, Wang J, Zhang W, Xing X, Zhang Y, Liu J, Tang D. Association between air pollution and male sexual function: A nationwide observational study in China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:134010. [PMID: 38492404 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134010] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the associations between air pollution and male sexual function. A total of 5047 male subjects in China were included in this study. The average air pollution exposure (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, NO2, and O3) for the preceding 1, 3, 6, and 12 months before the participants' response was assessed. Male sexual function was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT). Generalized linear models were utilized to explore the associations between air pollution and male sexual function. K-prototype algorithm was conducted to identify the association among specific populations. Significant adverse effects on the IIEF-5 score were observed with NO2 exposure during the preceding 1, 3, and 6 months (1 m: β = -5.26E-05; 3 m: β = -4.83E-05; 6 m: β = -4.23E-05, P < 0.05). PM2.5 exposure during the preceding 12 months was found to significantly negatively affect the PEDT after adjusting for confounding variables. Our research indicated negative correlations between air pollutant exposures and male sexual function for the first time. Furthermore, these associations were more pronounced among specific participants who maintain a normal BMI, exhibit extroverted traits, and currently engage in smoking and alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyuan Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Zihan Guo
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Rui Qu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Yiqiu Wei
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Jingxuan Wang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Weiqian Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Xing Xing
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China.
| | - Jue Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Dongdong Tang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei 230032, China.
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Yang W, Hua R, Cao Y, He X. A metabolomic perspective on the mechanisms by which environmental pollutants and lifestyle lead to male infertility. Andrology 2024; 12:719-739. [PMID: 37815095 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13530] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of male infertility (MI) is rising annually. According to epidemiological studies, environmental pollution (e.g., organic, inorganic, and air pollutants), occupational exposure (e.g., high temperature, organic solvents, and pesticides), and poor lifestyle (e.g., diet, sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise) are important non-genetic causative factors of MI. Due to multiple and complex causative factors, the dose-effect relationship, and the uncertainty of pathogenicity, the pathogenesis of MI is far from fully clarified. Recent data show that the pathogenesis of MI can be monitored by the metabolites in serum, seminal plasma, urine, testicular tissue, sperm, and other biological samples. It is considered that these metabolites are closely related to MI phenotypes and can directly reflect the individual pathological and physiological conditions. Therefore, qualitative and quantitative analysis of the metabolome, the related metabolic pathways, and the identification of biomarkers will help to explore the MI-related metabolic problems and provide valuable insights into its pathogenic mechanisms. Here, we summarized new findings in MI metabolomics biomarkers research and their abnormal metabolic pathways triggered by the presented non-genetic risk factors, providing a metabolic landscape of semen and seminal plasma in general MI patients. Then, we compared the similarities and differences in semen and seminal plasma biomarkers between MI patients exposed to environmental and poor lifestyle factors and MI patients in general, and summarized some common biomarkers. We provide a better understanding of the biological underpinnings of MI pathogenesis, which might offer novel diagnostic, prognostic, and precise treatment approaches to MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Rong Hua
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Bhattacharya I, Sharma SS, Majumdar SS. Etiology of Male Infertility: an Update. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:942-965. [PMID: 38036863 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01401-x] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process of germ cell division and differentiation that involves extensive cross-talk between the developing germ cells and the somatic testicular cells. Defective endocrine signaling and/or intrinsic defects within the testes can adversely affect spermatogenic progression, leading to subfertility/infertility. In recent years, male infertility has been recognized as a global public health concern, and research over the last few decades has elucidated the complex etiology of male infertility. Congenital reproductive abnormalities, genetic mutations, and endocrine/metabolic dysfunction have been demonstrated to be involved in infertility/subfertility in males. Furthermore, acquired factors like exposure to environmental toxicants and lifestyle-related disorders such as illicit use of psychoactive drugs have been shown to adversely affect spermatogenesis. Despite the large body of available scientific literature on the etiology of male infertility, a substantial proportion of infertility cases are idiopathic in nature, with no known cause. The inability to treat such idiopathic cases stems from poor knowledge about the complex regulation of spermatogenesis. Emerging scientific evidence indicates that defective functioning of testicular Sertoli cells (Sc) may be an underlying cause of infertility/subfertility in males. Sc plays an indispensable role in regulating spermatogenesis, and impaired functional maturation of Sc has been shown to affect fertility in animal models as well as humans, suggesting abnormal Sc as a potential underlying cause of reproductive insufficiency/failure in such cases of unexplained infertility. This review summarizes the major causes of infertility/subfertility in males, with an emphasis on infertility due to dysregulated Sc function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrashis Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, Central University of Kerala, Periye Campus, Kasaragod, 671320, Kerala, India.
| | - Souvik Sen Sharma
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, 500 032, Telangana, India
| | - Subeer S Majumdar
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, 500 032, Telangana, India.
- Gujarat Biotechnology University, Gandhinagar, GIFT City, Gandhinagar, 382355, Gujarat, India.
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Victor Oluwaloseyi A, Aduragbemi Noah O, Lydia Oluwatoyin A, Gaffar Y, Moses O, Oyedayo Phillips A, Comfort Onaolapo M, Sylvester Olateju B, Ademola Ayodele A, Mega Obukohwo O, Ayodeji Folorunsho A. Metabolomics of male infertility. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 556:117850. [PMID: 38431200 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.117850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
This review explores the use of metabolomics in male infertility. Metabolomics, an evolving omics technology that targets the products of cellular metabolism, is valuable for elucidating underlying pathophysiology of many disorders including male infertility. The identification of reliable biomarkers is essential for accurate diagnosis and for developing precision therapeutics for those afflicted by reproductive dysfunction. Unfortunately, despite significant progress to date, the intricate relationships between these metabolic pathways and male infertility remain elusive. It is clear, however, that additional research is required to more fully characterize the role of metabolomics in this disorder and in the potential development of targeted therapies for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amos Victor Oluwaloseyi
- Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria; Anchor Biomed Research Institute, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Odeyemi Aduragbemi Noah
- Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Ajayi Lydia Oluwatoyin
- Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Yusuff Gaffar
- Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Olotu Moses
- Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | | | - Moyinoluwa Comfort Onaolapo
- Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria; Anchor Biomed Research Institute, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | | | - Adelakun Ademola Ayodele
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | | | - Ajayi Ayodeji Folorunsho
- Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria; Anchor Biomed Research Institute, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria; Department of Physiology, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.
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Ma Y, Hu C, Cai G, Xia Q, Fan D, Cao Y, Pan F. Associations of exposure to ambient fine particulate matter constituents from different pollution sources with semen quality: Evidence from a prospective cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123200. [PMID: 38135136 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123200] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The association between ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and semen quality remains inconclusive, possibly due to variations in pollution sources and PM2.5 compositions. Studies investigating the constituents of PM2.5 have been hindered by small sample sizes, and research exploring the relationships between PM2.5 pollution sources and semen quality is lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive study based on the Anhui prospective assisted reproduction cohort to evaluate the associations between semen quality and the constituents and pollution sources of PM2.5. This study included 9013 semen samples from 4417 males in the urban districts of Hefei. The median concentrations of PM2.5 constituents, including eight metals and four water-soluble ions (WSIs), were measured for seven days per month at two monitoring stations during the 0-90-day exposure window. A linear mixed-effects model, weighted quantile sum regression, and positive matrix factorisation were used to evaluate the associations of the constituents and pollution sources of PM2.5 with semen quality. The results showed that exposure to PM2.5-bound metals (antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and thallium) and WSIs (sulphate and chloride) were negatively associated with semen quality parameters. Moreover, mixtures of PM2.5-bound metals and WSIs were negatively associated with semen quality. Additionally, PM2.5 derived from traffic emissions was negatively associated with semen quality. In summary, our study revealed that ambient PM2.5 and its constituents, especially metals, were negatively associated with semen quality. Antimony, lead, and thallium emerged as the primary contributors to toxicity, and PM2.5 from traffic emissions was associated with decreased semen quality. These findings have important public health implications for the management of PM2.5 pollution in the context of male reproductive health.
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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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - Dazhi Fan
- Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, Guangdong, 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.
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Sciorio R, Tramontano L, Adel M, Fleming S. Decrease in Sperm Parameters in the 21st Century: Obesity, Lifestyle, or Environmental Factors? An Updated Narrative Review. J Pers Med 2024; 14:198. [PMID: 38392631 PMCID: PMC10890002 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14020198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Semen quality represents a compelling factor for fertility, and delineating the normal values has proven difficult. In the last four decades, several authors have reported a noticeable decline in sperm parameters. Also, studies investigating 'time to pregnancy' have shown that fecundity begins to be reduced when sperm numbers decrease below 30 million, even though according to the 6th edition of the WHO manual, the normal value is currently 16 million/mL or 39 million per ejaculate. There exists sufficient data to suggest a decline in sperm counts over time, even though the clear reason for this adverse trend is not well established, but some associations have been hypothesised, such as maternal smoking during pregnancy. Additional potential factors have yet to be fully illustrated but involve poor diet, increased obesity, and exposure to environmental toxins. Moreover, the change in environmental conditions and more common exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as pesticides and herbicides, as well as bisphenol A, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls, and heavy metals, starting from prenatal life and continuing into adulthood, may exhibit probable features explaining the reduction in sperm parameters. Therefore, the main goal of this narrative review is to furnish an overview of the possible effects of exposure to EDCs on testicular function and spermatogenesis and, also, to summarise the evidence regarding a decrease in sperm quality and examine its potential consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Sciorio
- Fertility Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luca Tramontano
- Department of Women, Infants and Adolescents, Division of Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals, 1211 Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Mohammed Adel
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11651, Egypt
| | - Steven Fleming
- Discipline of Anatomy & Histology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Wang T, Wang Q, Fan Z, Xu R, Deng X, Li Y, Liang S, Lv Z, Huang S, Duan YG, Zhang X, Liu Y. Association between central obesity and semen quality: A cross-sectional study in 4513 Chinese sperm donation volunteers. Andrology 2024; 12:316-326. [PMID: 37282772 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13471] [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: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND General obesity classified by body mass index has been linked to a reduction in semen quality; however, evidence on the adverse effect of central obesity on semen quality remains limited. OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between central obesity and semen quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of 4513 sperm donation volunteers in Guangdong Provincial Human Sperm Bank during 2018-2021. Three central obesity indicators, including waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio, were measured using a multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis for each subject. Semen analysis was conducted according to the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen 5th edition. Linear regression models and unconditional logistic regression models were used to quantify the association between central obesity and semen parameters. RESULTS With adjustment for age, race, education level, marital status, fertility status, occupation, year of semen collection, abstinence period, ambient temperature, and relative humidity, central obesity defined as waist circumference ≥90 cm, waist-to-hip ratio ≥0.9, or waist-to-height ratio ≥0.5 was significantly associated with a 0.27 (95% confidence interval: 0.15, 0.38) mL, 14.47 (3.60, 25.34) × 106 , 7.06 (0.46, 13.76) × 106 , and 6.80 (0.42, 13.18) × 106 reduction in semen volume, total sperm number, total motile sperm number, and total progressive motile sperm number, respectively, and a 53% (10%, 112%) increase in odds of below the World Health Organization 2010 reference value for semen volume. These associations did not significantly vary across age. Similar results were observed for central obesity defined using each of the three indicators, except that subjects with a waist circumference ≥90 cm had a slightly higher total motility (estimated change: 1.30%; 95% confidence interval: 0.27%, 2.34%) and progressive motility (estimated change: 1.27%; 95% confidence interval: 0.23%, 2.31%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION We found that central obesity was significantly associated with a reduction in semen volume, total sperm number, total motile sperm number, and total progressive motile sperm number. Future studies are warranted to confirm our results in other regions and populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiling Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute, Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhaoyu Fan
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruijun Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyi Deng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingxin Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sihan Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ziquan Lv
- Central Laboratory of Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Suli Huang
- Department of Environment and Health, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 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, China
| | - Xinzong Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute, Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuewei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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10
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Wieczorek K, Szczęsna D, Radwan M, Radwan P, Polańska K, Kilanowicz A, Jurewicz J. Exposure to air pollution and ovarian reserve parameters. Sci Rep 2024; 14:461. [PMID: 38172170 PMCID: PMC10764889 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50753-6] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Exposure to air pollution is associated with many different health effects, especially cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Additionally, highly significant links between exposure to air pollution and fertility, particularly male fertility was observed, however the studies regarding exposure to selected air pollutants and female fertility assessed by ovarian reserve are rare. Hence, the main aim of the study was to analyze relationship between exposure to ambient air pollution and ovarian reserve parameters among Polish women. The study population consisted of 511 women, who attended to infertility clinic because of diagnostic purposes. Participants filled in the questionnaire about social-demographic, lifestyle and health factors. Infertility specialists assessed ovarian parameters such as: antral follicle count (AFC) and concentration of hormones: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2). The air pollutants level (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, particulate matters) were obtained via National Environmental Protection Inspectorate database. Significant negative association between PM2,5 and AHM (p = 0.032) as well as AFC (p = 0.044) was observed. Moreover, SO2 concentrations decrease AFC (p = 0.038). The results also suggest that PM10, PM2.5, SO2 exposure on antral follicle count may be more pronounced among women with a female factor infertility diagnosis. Additionally, exposure to PM2.5 and NOx on AFC and AMH was stronger among older women (> 35 years of age). To conclude, the present study found that air pollution could lead to decrease in follicle antral count and Anti-Müllerian hormone level, especially exposure to PM2,5 and SO2 thus the evidence suggest negative impact to ovarian reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Wieczorek
- Department of Chemical Safety, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 8 Teresy St; 91-348, Łódź, Poland.
| | - Dorota Szczęsna
- Department of Chemical Safety, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 8 Teresy St; 91-348, Łódź, Poland
| | - Michał Radwan
- Department of Gynecology and Reproduction, "Gameta" Hospital, 34/36 Rudzka St; 95-030, Rzgów, Poland
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Mazovian State University in Płock, 2 Dabrowskiego Sq; 09-402, Plock, Poland
| | - Paweł Radwan
- Department of Gynecology and Reproduction, "Gameta" Hospital, 34/36 Rudzka St; 95-030, Rzgów, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Reproduction, "Gameta" Health Centre, 7 Cybernetyki St; 02-677, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Reproduction, "Gameta" Clinic, Kielce-Regional Science -Technology Centre, 45 Podzamcze St; 26-060, Chęciny, Poland
| | - Kinga Polańska
- Department of Paediatrics and Allergy, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Piłsudskiego 71; 90-329, Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Kilanowicz
- Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1; 90-151, Łódź, Poland
| | - Joanna Jurewicz
- Department of Chemical Safety, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 8 Teresy St; 91-348, Łódź, Poland.
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11
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Omolaoye TS, Skosana BT, Ferguson LM, Ramsunder Y, Ayad BM, Du Plessis SS. Implications of Exposure to Air Pollution on Male Reproduction: The Role of Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:64. [PMID: 38247488 PMCID: PMC10812603 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Air pollution, either from indoor (household) or outdoor (ambient) sources, occurs when there is presence of respirable particles in the form of chemical, physical, or biological agents that modify the natural features of the atmosphere or environment. Today, almost 2.4 billion people are exposed to hazardous levels of indoor pollution, while 99% of the global population breathes air pollutants that exceed the World Health Organization guideline limits. It is not surprising that air pollution is the world's leading environmental cause of diseases and contributes greatly to the global burden of diseases. Upon entry, air pollutants can cause an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by undergoing oxidation to generate quinones, which further act as oxidizing agents to yield more ROS. Excessive production of ROS can cause oxidative stress, induce lipid peroxidation, enhance the binding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to their receptors, or bind to PAH to cause DNA strand breaks. The continuous and prolonged exposure to air pollutants is associated with the development or exacerbation of pathologies such as acute or chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative and skin diseases, and even reduced fertility potential. Males and females contribute to infertility equally, and exposure to air pollutants can negatively affect reproduction. In this review, emphasis will be placed on the implications of exposure to air pollutants on male fertility potential, bringing to light its effects on semen parameters (basic and advanced) and male sexual health. This study will also touch on the clinical implications of air pollution on male reproduction while highlighting the role of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temidayo S. Omolaoye
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai P.O. Box 505055, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Bongekile T. Skosana
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town 7602, South Africa; (B.T.S.); (L.M.F.); (Y.R.)
| | - Lisa Marie Ferguson
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town 7602, South Africa; (B.T.S.); (L.M.F.); (Y.R.)
| | - Yashthi Ramsunder
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town 7602, South Africa; (B.T.S.); (L.M.F.); (Y.R.)
| | - Bashir M. Ayad
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Misurata University, Misratah P.O. Box 2478, Libya;
| | - Stefan S. Du Plessis
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai P.O. Box 505055, United Arab Emirates;
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town 7602, South Africa; (B.T.S.); (L.M.F.); (Y.R.)
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12
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Gao X, Li G, Pan X, Xia J, Yan D, Xu Y, Ruan X, He H, Wei Y, Zhai J. Environmental and occupational exposure to cadmium associated with male reproductive health risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on epidemiological evidence. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:7491-7517. [PMID: 37584848 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01719-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
There is an abundance of epidemiological evidence and animal experiments concerning the correlation between cadmium exposure and adverse male reproductive health outcomes. However, the evidence remains inconclusive. We conducted a literature search from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science over the past 3 decades. Pooled r and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived from Cd levels of the type of biological materials and different outcome indicators to address the large heterogeneity of existing literature. Cd was negatively correlated with semen parameters (r = - 0.122, 95% CI - 0.151 to - 0.092) and positively correlated with sera sex hormones (r = 0.104, 95% CI 0.060 to 0.147). Among them, Cd in three different biological materials (blood, semen, and urine) was negatively correlated with semen parameters, while among sex hormones, only blood and urine were statistically positively correlated. In subgroup analysis, blood Cd was negatively correlated with semen density, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and sperm count. Semen Cd was negatively correlated with semen concentration. As for serum sex hormones, blood Cd had no statistical significance with three hormones, while semen Cd was negatively correlated with testosterone. In summary, cadmium exposure might be associated with the risk of a decline in sperm quality and abnormal levels of sex hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Gao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Guangying Li
- Department of Public Affairs Administration, School of Health Management, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Heifei, 230032, China
| | - Xingchen Pan
- School of the First Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Heifei, 230032, China
| | - Jiajia Xia
- Department of Public Affairs Administration, School of Health Management, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Heifei, 230032, China
| | - Di Yan
- Department of Public Affairs Administration, School of Health Management, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Heifei, 230032, China
| | - Yang Xu
- School of the First Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Heifei, 230032, China
| | - Xiang Ruan
- School of the First Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Heifei, 230032, China
| | - Huan He
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yu Wei
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jinxia Zhai
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Hefei, 230032, China.
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13
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Cai X, Ni H, Wang Q, Dai T, Wang L, Song C, Li Y, Li F, Meng T, Sheng H, Xiao L, Xu T, Yu X, Zeng Q, Guo P, Zhang X. Sperm quality decline associated with gaseous pollutant exposure: Evidence from a large cohort multicenter study. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132330. [PMID: 37611389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor sperm quality is a prevalent cause of male infertility, and the association between gaseous ambient air pollutants exposure and semen quality remains unclear. OBJECTIVES To examine the relationship between gaseous air pollution exposure with semen quality in a large-scale and multi-center study. METHODS We analyzed 78,952 samples corresponding to 33,234 study subjects from 2014 to 2020. The high-resolution grid pollution dataset was used to estimate personal exposures to CO, SO2, NO2 and O3 across entire stage of semen formation and three crucial stages. The linear mixed models were performed to evaluate the relationships. RESULTS The results showed that sperm count was inversely related to SO2 exposure (-0.0070, -0.0128 to -0.0011). Decreased sperm concentration was associated with SO2 (-0.0083, -0.0142 to -0.0024), NO2 (-0.0162, -0.0320 to -0.0005) and O3 (-0.0306, -0.0480 to -0.0133) during 0-90 lag days, respectively. Additionally, we observed significant decline of PR and total motility with SO2 exposure. Similar trends were observed for SO2 and CO exposure during 3 key periods. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that exposure to gaseous air pollutants may have negative impacts on sperm quality. These findings highlight the importance that critical periods of sperm development should be considered when implementing protective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Cai
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Haobo Ni
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Qiling Wang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Dai
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Lingxi Wang
- 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, China
| | - Yushan Li
- Human Sperm Bank, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 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, China
| | - Tianqing Meng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Human Sperm Bank, Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huiqiang Sheng
- Human Sperm Bank, the Zhejiang Provincial Maternal and Child and Reproductive Health Care Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lina Xiao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Xiaolin Yu
- 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.
| | - Xinzong Zhang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangzhou, China; Department of Andrology, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), China.
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14
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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.
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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.
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15
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Aznavour Y, Navarrete F, Badreddine J, Simon PHG, Gowda V, Rhodes S, Ghayda RA. Geographic Differences in Semen Quality among a Cohort of American Men Using Mail-in Sperm Testing Kits. World J Mens Health 2023; 41:920-927. [PMID: 36792088 PMCID: PMC10523125 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the relationship between regional geography and sperm parameters in a cohort of American men using at-home mail-in semen collection kits with no previous self-reported history of male factor infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, 5,822 men from six different regions of the United States (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, Pacific, and Southwest) who self-requested semen analysis between 2019 and 2021 were enrolled. RESULTS Across the entire cohort, the mean sperm concentration was 43.79±55.43 ×106 sperm/mL; total sperm count 138.93±149.96 ×106 sperm/mL; total motile sperm 54.73±81.90 ×106/ejaculate; total motility 30.18%±22.87%; progressive motility 21.61%±17.32%; sperm with normal morphology 8.79%±8.87%. Patients from the West region displayed lower median sperm concentration, total motile sperm, and total motility than men from the other four regional areas. A lower median total sperm count, and lower median progressive motility were also detected among patients in the Southwest region. Conversely, higher results were detected in patients from the Midwest (higher median total motile sperm, total and motility) and from the Northeast (higher median sperm concentration and total sperm count) regions. Men from the Southeast (OR, 1.3168; 95% CI, 1.1142-1.5563) and Southwest (OR, 1.3145; 95% CI, 1.0735-1.6096) regions were more likely to have oligozoospermia than those living elsewhere. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date report on semen parameter variability among a cohort of men living in six different regions of the continental USA. This study will pave the way into a deeper discussion of the interplay between geography, social determinants of fertility care and semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jad Badreddine
- Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Vrushab Gowda
- Give Legacy, Inc., Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen Rhodes
- Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ramy Abou Ghayda
- Give Legacy, Inc., Boston, MA, USA
- Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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16
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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.
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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.
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17
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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.
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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.
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18
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Zhang X, Fan Z, Wang Q, Deng X, Xu R, Li Y, Liu T, Wang R, Shi C, Huang S, Lv Z, Chen G, Duan YG, Liu Y. Association between ambient temperature and semen quality among sperm donation volunteers in South China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 173:107809. [PMID: 36805156 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Potential adverse effects of non-optimum temperatures on human semen quality have drawn much concern worldwide; however, the exposure-response relationship remains less understood. OBJECTIVES To quantitatively assess the association between exposure to ambient temperature and semen quality in South China, and to identify potential critical exposure windows. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal study to investigate 11,050 volunteers who lived in Guangdong province, China and intended to donate sperm in the Guangdong provincial human sperm bank during 2016-2021. Exposure to ambient temperature during 0-90 days before semen collection was assessed by extracting daily temperatures from a validated grid dataset at each subject's residential address. Linear mixed models and linear regression models were used to perform exposure-response analyses. RESULTS During the study period, the 11,050 subjects underwent 44,564 semen analyses. Each 5 °C increase of lag 0-90 day exposure to ambient temperature was approximately linearly associated with a 3.11 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 2.08, 4.14) × 106/ml, 9.31 (4.83, 13.80) × 106, 1.27 % (0.91 %, 1.62 %), 8.20 (5.33, 11.08) × 106, 1.37 % (1.01 %, 1.74 %), 8.29 (5.52, 11.06) × 106, 0.67 % (0.28 %, 1.05 %), and 4.50 (2.20, 6.80) × 106 reduction in sperm concentration, total sperm number, total motility, total motile sperm number, progressive motility, total progressive sperm number, normal forms, and total normal form sperm number, respectively (all p < 0.001), which was not significantly modified by age (all p for effect modification > 0.05). We identified a critical exposure period of 10-14 days before semen collection for sperm motility, and 70-90 days before semen collection for sperm count and morphology. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides consistent evidence that higher ambient temperature was significantly associated with a reduction in semen quality in South China. The findings highlight the needs to reduce high temperature exposures during 3 months before ejaculation to maintain better semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinzong Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute, Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510600, China
| | - Zhaoyu Fan
- 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
| | - Xinyi Deng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Ruijun Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Yingxin Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Luohu District Chronic Disease Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China
| | - Chunxiang Shi
- Meteorological Data Laboratory, National Meteorological Information Center, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Suli Huang
- Department of Environment and Health, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Ziquan Lv
- Central Laboratory of Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Gongbo Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, 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
| | - Yuewei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
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Calamai C, Ammar O, Marchiani S, Degl'Innocenti S, Fino M, Righi L, Dabizzi S, Maggi M, Baldi E, Vignozzi L, Muratori M. Decrease of air pollution during lockdown in Tuscany (Italy): An effect on sperm DNA fragmentation? ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2023; 64:148-158. [PMID: 36719109 DOI: 10.1002/em.22530] [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: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In March 2020, the Italian government imposed a national lockdown which was almost completely removed in June 2020. Due to the abrupt stop of human activities, emissions of air pollutants decreased. Air pollution is an environmental risk factor for noncommunicable disease and mortality. Emerging evidence also suggests a role in male infertility. In this study, we compared sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) levels and conventional semen parameters between subjects undergoing sDF determination and routine semen analysis in a single Italian centre, during about 6 months before (N = 119) and after lockdown (N = 105). After lockdown, we found an improvement of sperm progressive motility (48.00[38.50-58.00]% vs. 42.00[33.00-53.00]%) and sDF levels (as total: 24.79[18.33-33.97]% vs. 35.02[25.04-45.73]%, p < .001; brighter: 14.02[10.69-17.93]% vs 18.54[13.58-25.82]%, p < .001 and dimmer sDF: 9.24[5.64-15.78]% vs. 12.24[8.08-19.10]%, p < .01), mirrored by a decrease of leukocyte semen concentration (p < .01). The improvement of sperm motility and DNA quality was maintained after adjusting for leukocyte concentration and several conditions known to affect sperm motility and/or sDF levels. With a significant decrease in air pollution observed in Tuscany during and after lockdown, associated improvement in sperm motility and DNA quality in patients referred to the infertility clinic is suggestive of the potential role of air pollution in male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Calamai
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Oumaima Ammar
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Marchiani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Selene Degl'Innocenti
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Marisa Fino
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Sara Dabizzi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Mario Maggi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Baldi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Linda Vignozzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Monica Muratori
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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20
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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.
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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
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21
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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.
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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.
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22
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Yu X, Wang Q, Wei J, Zeng Q, Xiao L, Ni H, Xu T, Wu H, Guo P, Zhang X. Impacts of traffic-related particulate matter pollution on semen quality: A retrospective cohort study relying on the random forest model in a megacity of South China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158387. [PMID: 36049696 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence shows the detrimental impacts of particulate matter (PM) on poor semen quality. High-resolution estimates of PM concentrations are conducive to evaluating accurate associations between traffic-related PM exposure and semen quality. METHODS In this study, we firstly developed a random forest model incorporating meteorological factors, land-use information, traffic-related variables, and other spatiotemporal predictors to estimate daily traffic-related PM concentrations, including PM2.5, PM10, and PM1. Then we enrolled 1310 semen donors corresponding to 4912 semen samples during the study period from January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019 in Guangzhou city, China. Linear mixed models were employed to associate individual exposures to traffic-related PM during the entire (0-90 lag days) and key periods (0-37 and 34-77 lag days) with semen quality parameters, including sperm concentration, sperm count, progressive motility and total motility. RESULTS The results showed that decreased sperm concentration was associated with PM10 exposures (β: -0.21, 95 % CI: -0.35, -0.07), sperm count was inversely related to both PM2.5 (β: -0.19, 95 % CI: -0.35, -0.02) and PM10 (β: -0.19, 95 % CI: -0.33, -0.05) during the 0-90 days lag exposure window. Besides, PM2.5 and PM10 might diminish sperm concentration by mainly affecting the late phase of sperm development (0-37 lag days). Stratified analyses suggested that PBF and drinking seemed to modify the associations between PM exposure and sperm motility. We did not observe any significant associations of PM1 exposures with semen parameters. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that exposure to traffic-related PM2.5 and PM10 pollution throughout spermatogenesis may adversely affect semen quality, especially sperm concentration and count. The findings provided more evidence for the negative associations between traffic-related PM exposure and semen quality, highlighting the necessity to reduce ambient air pollution through environmental policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Yu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Qiling Wang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangzhou, China; Department of Andrology, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), China
| | - Jing Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Qinghui Zeng
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Lina Xiao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Haobo Ni
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Haisheng Wu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Pi Guo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Xinzong Zhang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Andrology, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute (Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital), China
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23
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Ma Y, Zhang J, Cai G, Xia Q, Xu S, Hu C, Cao Y, Pan F. Inverse association between ambient particulate matter and semen quality in Central China: Evidence from a prospective cohort study of 15,112 participants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155252. [PMID: 35427605 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that ambient particulate matter (PM) is harmful to male fertility, but the associations between ambient PM exposure and semen quality were inconsistent. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the association between ambient PM exposure and semen quality based on a large prospective cohort. Using data from the prospective assisted reproduction cohort in Anhui province, China, we included 15,112 males with 28,267 semen tests, whose partner has undergone assisted reproductive technology from September 1, 2015 to September, 22 2020. Individual ambient PM, gaseous air pollutants, and temperature exposures of the participants during 0-90, 0-9, 10-14, and 70-90 days before semen quality tests were evaluated using inverse distance weighting interpolation. Linear mixed-effects models were conducted to evaluate the relationship between PM2.5 and PM10 exposures and standardized semen quality parameters. Models were adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, drinking, education attainment, occupation type, sampling month, temperature and the principal component of gaseous air pollutants. PM2.5 and PM10 were inversely associated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, total motility, progressive motility, total motile sperm count, and progressively motile sperm count during 0-90, 0-9, and 70-90 days period (all p < 0.05), but not 10-14 days period. The regression coefficients of PM2.5 exposure on semen quality parameters during 0-90 days period were larger than 0-9 and 70-90 days periods, and the effects of PM2.5 on semen quality parameters were stronger than PM10. Our results showed that ambient PM2.5 and PM10 exposures were associated with semen quality, during 70-90 days and 0-9 days before sampling, and the entire spermatogenesis process. The effects of PM2.5 on semen quality parameters were stronger than PM10, and the long-term effects of PM2.5 and PM10, throughout spermatogenesis, were stronger than the short-term effects.
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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
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - 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
| | - Qing Xia
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart 7000, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Shanshan Xu
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 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.
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Zheng P, Chen Z, Shi J, Xue Y, Bai Y, Kang Y, Xu H, Jia G, Wang T. Association between ambient air pollution and blood sex hormones levels in men. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 211:113117. [PMID: 35304116 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Concerns are growing over time on the adverse health effects of air pollution. However, the association between ambient air pollution and blood sex hormones in men is poorly understood. We included 72,917 men aged 20-55 years from February 2014 to December 2019 in Beijing, China in this study. Blood testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, and prolactin levels of each participant were measured. We collected exposure data of daily ambient levels of particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM10) and ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide, and ozone. Generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the potential association between ambient air pollution exposure and blood sex hormone levels. The results showed that both immediate and short-term cumulative PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 exposure was related to altered serum sex hormone levels in men, especially testosterone. An increase of 10 μg/m3 in PM2.5 and PM10 in the current day was related to a 1.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9%-2.3%) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.5%-1.6%) decrease in testosterone, respectively, and a decreasing tendency of accumulated effects persisted within lag 0-30 days. The present study demonstrated that it is important to control ambient air pollution exposure to reduce effects on the reproductive health of men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pai Zheng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhangjian Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuting Xue
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yi Bai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yulin Kang
- Institute of Environmental Information, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huiyu Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Guang Jia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Tiancheng Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
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25
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Cheng Y, Tang Q, Lu Y, Li M, Zhou Y, Wu P, Li J, Pan F, Han X, Chen M, Lu C, Wang X, Wu W, Xia Y. Semen quality and sperm DNA methylation in relation to long-term exposure to air pollution in fertile men: A cross-sectional study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 300:118994. [PMID: 35167929 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Some studies have examined the association between air pollution and semen quality. While it is less of evidence on the sperm quality after long-term air pollution exposure, especially the co-exposure of different air pollution components. Additionally, the role of DNA methylation in it hasn't been confirmed. This study aimed to investigate whether long-term exposure to air pollution was associated with semen quality, as well as to explore the effect of sperm DNA methylation in such association. From 2014 to 2016, 1607 fertile men were enrolled to evaluate 14 parameters of semen quality. Exposure window was defined as one-year before semen sampling. Multivariable linear regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression model were used to investigate the association between six air pollutants co-exposure and semen quality. Sensitivity analysis regarding at the normal semen quality group was also conducted. Semen samples were randomly selected from 200 participants to detect the genomic 5-methylcytosine (5 mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) levels in sperm. In the total population, PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 were negatively associated with sperm total motility (PM10: β = -2.67, P = 0.009; PM2.5: β = -2.86, P = 0.004; SO2: β = -2.32, P = 0.011; NO2: β = -2.21, P = 0.012). Results of the normal semen quality group were consistent with those from the whole population. WQS regression results indicated significant decreasing sperm total motility after the co-exposure of the six air pollutants (β = -1.64, P = 0.003) in whole participants. Wherein, PM10 accounted for largest proportion (43.4%). The 5-hmC level was positively associated with PM10 exposure (β = 0.002, P < 0.001). Long-term exposure to PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NO2, as well as co-exposure to six air pollutants, reduced semen quality in fertile men. As the most significant contributor of air pollutant, PM10 exposure decreased sperm DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, 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
| | - Yiwen Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, 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, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peihao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, 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 Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - 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, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Minjian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, 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, Institute of Toxicology, 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, Institute of Toxicology, 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, Institute of Toxicology, 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, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Wu W, Chen Y, Cheng Y, Tang Q, Pan F, Tang N, Sun Z, Wang X, London SJ, Xia Y. Association between ambient particulate matter exposure and semen quality in fertile men. Environ Health 2022; 21:16. [PMID: 35034648 PMCID: PMC8762955 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00831-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have suggested adverse effects of particulate matter (PM) exposure on male reproductive health; few have investigated the association between PM exposure and semen quality in a large population of fertile men. METHODS We evaluated 14 parameters of semen quality in 1554 fertile men in Nanjing from 2014 to 2016. Individual exposure to particular matter ≤10 μm in diameter (PM10) and ≤ 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) during key periods of sperm development (0-90, 0-9, 10-14, 15-69, and 70-90 days before semen collection) were estimated by inverse distance weighting interpolation. Associations between PM exposure and semen quality were estimated using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS Higher 90-days average PM2.5 was in association with decreased sperm motility (2.21% for total motility, 1.93% for progressive motility per 10 μg/m3 increase, P < 0.001) and four quantitative aspects of sperm motion (curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), P < 0.01). The association between PM2.5 exposure and semen quality were generally stronger for the earlier exposure window (70-90 days prior to ejaculation) than for recent exposure (0-9, 10-14, or 15-69 days). In the subgroup of men who had normal sperm parameters (n = 1019), similar results were obtained. Ninety-days PM10 exposure was associated only with decreased VCL and VAP and was not related to sperm concentration. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to PM2.5 adversely affects semen quality, specifically lower sperm motility, in fertile men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Applied Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, USA.
| | - Yiqiu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Applied Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuting Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Applied Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiuqin Tang
- Department of Obstetrics, The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Pan
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Naijun Tang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiwei Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Applied Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Stephanie J London
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, USA
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Applied Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Wu H, Yu X, Wang Q, Zeng Q, Chen Y, Lv J, Wu Y, Zhou H, Zhang H, Liu M, Zheng M, Zhao Q, Guo P, Feng W, Zhang X, Tian L. Beyond the mean: Quantile regression to differentiate the distributional effects of ambient PM 2.5 constituents on sperm quality among men. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 285:131496. [PMID: 34329140 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Ambient PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter) constituents have been related to mean changes in semen quality, but focusing on the mean response may not well capture distributional and heterogeneous effects of PM2.5 constituents on semen quality. In this study, 2314 semen samples of 622 men between Jan 1, 2019 and Dec 31, 2019 from Guangdong Human Sperm Bank were subjected to semen quality analysis. Daily average concentrations of PM2.5 constituents including 4 water-soluble ions and 15 metals/metalloid were measured for 7 days per month at 3 fixed atmospheric pollutant monitoring stations. We used quantile regression for longitudinal data to examine whether the associations between PM2.5 constituents and quality indicators of semen varied across quantiles of outcome distribution. Heterogeneous associations were found between PM2.5 constituents and sperm quality across different quantiles. An interquartile range (14.0 μg/m3) increase in PM2.5 mass was negatively associated with lower tails of sperm concentration and upper tails of sperm count distribution. PM2.5 vanadium exposure was significantly related to the 90th percentile of sperm count distribution, but not to the lower quantiles. In addition, those subjects with relatively high sperm motility were more susceptible to sulfate, chromium, and manganese constituents in PM2.5. Our results indicate that PM2.5 and certain constituents were associated with sperm quality, especially sperm motility, and the associations are more pronounced in men with relatively high or low sperm motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haisheng Wu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Xiaolin Yu
- 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, Family Planning Special Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510600, China; Human Sperm Bank of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510600, China
| | - Qinghui Zeng
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Yuliang Chen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Jiayun Lv
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 510440, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 510440, China
| | - Hongwei Zhou
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 510440, China
| | - Hongfeng Zhang
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 510440, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 510440, China
| | - Murui Zheng
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 510440, China
| | - Qingguo Zhao
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangzhou, 510600, China
| | - Pi Guo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China.
| | - Wenru Feng
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 510440, China.
| | - Xinzong Zhang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangzhou, 510600, China; Department of Andrology, Family Planning Special Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510600, China; Human Sperm Bank of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510600, China.
| | - Linwei Tian
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Chen HG, Lu Q, Tu ZZ, Chen YJ, Sun B, Hou J, Xiong CL, Wang YX, Meng TQ, Pan A. Identifying windows of susceptibility to essential elements for semen quality among 1428 healthy men screened as potential sperm donors. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 155:106586. [PMID: 33910075 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Essential elements such as iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), and molybdenum (Mo) are necessary for reproductive health. However, their associations with human semen quality remain inconclusive. OBJECTIVES To investigate the associations of urinary Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, and Mo concentrations with semen quality in healthy men screened as potential sperm donors and identify critical windows of susceptibility. METHODS 1428 healthy men provided 3766 urine and 6527 semen samples, which were measured for urinary essential element concentrations and sperm quality parameters, respectively. Linear mixed models and cubic spline curves were used to evaluate associations between urinary essential elements and semen quality. Multiple informant models were used to identify potential critical windows of susceptibility. RESULTS Linear mixed models and cubic spline curves showed positive dose-response relationships between urinary Zn and sperm concentration and total count and between urinary Mo and total sperm count [all False Discovery Rate (FDR) adjusted p-value for trend < 0.05]. In the multiple-element linear mixed models, the men in the highest versus lowest quartiles of urinary Zn and Mo had a higher sperm concentration of 17.5% (95% CI: 2.8%, 34.2%; p-value for trend = 0.006) and total sperm count of 18.3% (95% CI: 1.4%, 38.0%; p-value for trend = 0.027), respectively. Urinary Zn was also positively associated with total sperm count in a dose-dependent manner (p-value for trend = 0.036), though the percentile difference in total sperm count between men in the highest and lowest quartile was not statistically significant (16.4%, 95% CI: -1.7%, 37.9%). These associations appeared to be stronger when urinary Zn and Mo were measured at 0-9 days before the date of semen examination (i.e., corresponding to epididymal storage). CONCLUSIONS Higher urinary Zn and Mo, particularly during the period of epididymal storage, were associated with greater sperm production.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, No. 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qi Lu
- 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, No. 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhou-Zheng Tu
- 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, No. 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ying-Jun 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, No. 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, 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, No. 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jian Hou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Cheng-Liang Xiong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China; Hubei Province Human Sperm Bank, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 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, No. 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Tian-Qing Meng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China; Hubei Province Human Sperm Bank, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
| | - An Pan
- 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, No. 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China.
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29
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Henry TD, Porucznik CA, Honda TJ, VanDerslice JA, Blackburn BE, Cox KJ, Carrell DT. Differential impacts of particulate air pollution exposure on early and late stages of spermatogenesis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 220:112419. [PMID: 34126304 PMCID: PMC8383784 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite increasing evidence that particulate air pollution has adverse effects on human semen quality, few studies examine the impact of air pollution on clinically relevant thresholds used to diagnose male fertility problems. Furthermore, exposure is often assessed using average air pollution levels in a geographic area rather than individualized estimates. Finally, physiologically-informed exposure windows are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES We sought to test the hypothesis that airborne particulate exposures during early-phase spermatogenesis will have a differential impact on spermatogenic formation compared to late-phase exposures, using an individualized model of exposure to particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm and ≤ 10 µm (PM2.5 and PM10, respectively). METHODS From an original cohort of 183 couples, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 130 healthy males seeking to become parents, using spermatogenesis-relevant exposure windows of 77-34 days and 37-0 days prior to semen collection to encompass sperm development stages of mitosis/meiosis and spermiogenesis, respectively. Individualized residential exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 was estimated by selecting multiple air pollution sensors within the same geographic air basin as participants and employing inverse distance weighting to calculate mean daily exposure levels. We used multiple logistic regression to assess the association between pollution, temperature, and dichotomized World Health Organization semen parameters. RESULTS During the early phase of spermatogenesis, air pollution exposure is associated with 1.52 (95% CI: 1.04-2.32) times greater odds of < 30% normal heads per 1-unit increase in IQR for PM2.5. In the late phase of spermatogenesis, air pollution exposure is associated with 0.35 (95% CI: 0.10-0.74) times greater odds of semen concentration < 15 million/mL per 1-unit increase in IQR for PM2.5, and 0.28 (95% CI: 0.07-0.72) for PM10. CONCLUSION Particulate exposure has a differential and more deleterious impact on sperm during early-phase spermatogenesis than late-phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trenton D Henry
- Division of Public Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, 375 Chipeta Way, Suite A, Salt Lake City 84108, UT, USA
| | - Christina A Porucznik
- Division of Public Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, 375 Chipeta Way, Suite A, Salt Lake City 84108, UT, USA
| | - Trenton J Honda
- School of Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James A VanDerslice
- Division of Public Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, 375 Chipeta Way, Suite A, Salt Lake City 84108, UT, USA
| | - Brenna E Blackburn
- Division of Public Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, 375 Chipeta Way, Suite A, Salt Lake City 84108, UT, USA
| | - Kyley J Cox
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Douglas T Carrell
- Division of Andrology, Departments of Surgery and Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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30
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Rubes J, Sipek J, Kopecka V, Musilova P, Vozdova M. Semen quality and sperm DNA integrity in city policemen exposed to polluted air in an urban industrial agglomeration. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 237:113835. [PMID: 34461579 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We examined sperm quality in a cohort of city policemen in Ostrava at the end of a period with high concentrations of air pollutants (winter) and in the same cohort at the end of a relatively low exposure period (summer). METHODS The study group was comprised of 54 nonsmoking city policemen living and working in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Average daily air-pollutant concentrations recorded by stationary monitoring for 90 days preceding the collection of semen samples were evaluated for different city districts of Ostrava. Standard semen parameters were assessed according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization (2010). The parameters were semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm morphology, sperm motility, acrosome reaction and sperm plasma membrane integrity. Sperm DNA damage was analysed by the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Sperm motion characteristics were determined by Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA). RESULTS The concentrations of all monitored pollutants (particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, benzo[a]pyrene, benzene) were significantly increased during winter (p < 0.001), except for ozone, the concentration of which was significantly higher during summer. Sperm volume, concentration, % vitality, % sperm morphology (normal form) and % acrosome-intact sperm did not differ significantly between the monitoring periods. The percentages of total motility and progressive motility were significantly higher in March, i.e. at the end of winter (p = 0.001). However, CASA testing showed differences in sperm motion kinetics between spring and autumn samples. In the spring samples, we found a significantly lower % of straightness (p = 0.044) and the length of straight-line path (p = 0.01), while linearity and straight-line velocity were near the borderline value (p = 0.064; p = 0.054, respectively). As compared to summer, high exposure to air pollution during winter significantly increased the extent of sperm chromatin integrity damage (median 22.6 vs. 18.6%) (p = 0.003) and the proportion of immature spermatozoa (median 11.2 vs. 9.9%, p = 0.001). Sperm DNA damage negatively correlated with total motility and progressive motility (r = -0.611, -0.299; p < 0.001). The negative correlation with vitality, normal morphology and acrosome-intact sperm (r = -0.522, -0.550 and -0.511, respectively) was also significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The examination of the same cohort of city policemen at the end of a period of high air pollution and at the end of relatively low exposure reduced the effects of age, different lifestyles, different occupational exposures, localities and genetic polymorphism on sperm quality impairment associated with air pollution. This study did not demonstrate impaired standard semen parameters in association with exposure. It was shown that sperm chromatin damage and the percentage of immature sperm were highly sensitive to air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Rubes
- Department of Genetics and Reproductive Biotechnologies, Central European Institute of Technology-Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jaroslav Sipek
- Department of Genetics and Reproductive Biotechnologies, Central European Institute of Technology-Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vera Kopecka
- Department of Genetics and Reproductive Biotechnologies, Central European Institute of Technology-Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Musilova
- Department of Genetics and Reproductive Biotechnologies, Central European Institute of Technology-Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miluse Vozdova
- Department of Genetics and Reproductive Biotechnologies, Central European Institute of Technology-Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
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Yang T, Deng L, Sun B, Zhang S, Xian Y, Xiao X, Zhan Y, Xu K, Buonocore JJ, Tang Y, Li F, Qiu Y. Semen quality and windows of susceptibility: A case study during COVID-19 outbreak in China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 197:111085. [PMID: 33812874 PMCID: PMC8542995 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate the impact of air pollution exposure on semen quality parameters during COVID-19 outbreak in China, and to identify potential windows of susceptibility for semen quality. METHODS A retrospective observational study was carried out on 1991 semen samples collected between November 23, 2019 and July 23, 2020 (a period covering COVID-19 lock-down in China) from 781 sperm donor candidates at University-affiliated Sichuan Provincial Human Sperm Bank. Multivariate mixed-effects regression models were constructed to investigate the relationship between pollution exposure, windows of susceptibility, and semen quality, while controlling for biographic and meteorologic confounders. RESULT(S) The results indicated multiple windows of susceptibility for semen quality, especially sperm motility, due to ambient pollution exposure. Exposure to particulate matters (PM2.5 and PM10), O3 and NO2 during late stages of spermatogenesis appeared to have weak but positive association with semen quality. Exposure to CO late in sperm development appeared to have inverse relationship with sperm movement parameters. Exposure to SO2 appeared to influence semen quality throughout spermatogenesis. CONCLUSION(S) Potential windows of susceptibility for semen quality varied depending on air pollutants. Sperm motility was sensitive to pollution exposure. Findings from current study further elucidate the importance of sensitive periods during spermatogenesis and provide new evidence for the determinants of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yang
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Li Deng
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, PR China
| | - Boyu Sun
- Wuyuzhang Honors College, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Shifu Zhang
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, PR China
| | - Yang Xian
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Yu Zhan
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, PR China
| | - Kehui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China; Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Johnathan J Buonocore
- Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA
| | - Ya Tang
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, PR China
| | - Fuping Li
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China.
| | - Yang Qiu
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, PR China.
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Calogero AE, Fiore M, Giacone F, Altomare M, Asero P, Ledda C, Romeo G, Mongioì LM, Copat C, Giuffrida M, Vicari E, Sciacca S, Ferrante M. Exposure to multiple metals/metalloids and human semen quality: A cross-sectional study. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 215:112165. [PMID: 33773149 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to metals/metalloids, including essential and nonessential elements, has been associated to male reproductive health in animals. However, findings from human studies are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of exposure to multiple metals/metalloids at environmental levels on the conventional human semen-quality parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS Men living in rural or industrial areas were recruited by personalized letters. No exclusion criteria were applied. Each man provided one semen sample and one blood sample. We analyzed the semen sample both to determine conventional sperm parameters (concentration, progressive motility and normal forms) and to quantify lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), vanadium (V) and selenium (Se) levels. The levels of these metals/metalloids were also quantified in venous blood and spermatozoa samples. Associations between the blood/seminal plasma metal/metalloid levels and semen quality parameters were assessed using confounder adjusted logistic regression models. Correlation and interactions between blood/seminal plasma and semen metal/metalloid levels were investigated using the Spearman's correlation. RESULTS We found a positive association of seminal plasma cadmium level with lower Total count (OR = 4.48, 95%CI 0.25-80); whereas lead (OR = 4.51, 95%CI 0.86-23) and cadmium (OR = 3.45, 95%CI 0.77-16) seminal plasma levels had a positive association with progressive sperm motility. Overall, these associations remained suggestive after adjustment, though statistically unstable risks. Finally, we found weak interactions between beneficial effects of Se and detrimental ones only for Cd and Pb blood level on sperm concentration, total sperm count and progressive sperm motility. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that environmental exposure to Pb and Cd contributes to a decline in human semen quality, whereas Se can have beneficial effects. Measurements of metals/metalloids in the seminal fluid may be more predictable of semen quality than conventional blood measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Filippo Giacone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Altomare
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Paola Asero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Caterina Ledda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulietta Romeo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Laura M Mongioì
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Giuffrida
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Enzo Vicari
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sciacca
- Cancer Registry of Catania, Messina, Syracuse and Enna, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Zhou L, Li L, Hao G, Li B, Yang S, Wang N, Liang J, Sun H, Ma S, Yan L, Zhao C, Wei Y, Niu Y, Zhang R. Sperm mtDNA copy number, telomere length, and seminal spermatogenic cells in relation to ambient air pollution: Results of a cross-sectional study in Jing-Jin-Ji region of China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 406:124308. [PMID: 33257117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Evidences on the association of air pollutants and semen quality were limited and mechanism-based biomarkers were sparse. We enrolled 423 men at a fertility clinic in Shijiazhuang, China to evaluate associations between air pollutants and semen quality parameters including the conventional ones, sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn), sperm telomere length (STL) and seminal spermatogenic cells. PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2, NO2 and O3 exposure during lag0-90, lag0-9, lag10-14 and lag70-90 days were evaluated with ordinary Kringing model. The exposure-response correlations were analyzed with multiple linear regression models. CO, PM2.5 and PM10 were adversely associated with conventional semen parameters including sperm count, motility and morphology. Besides, CO was positively associated with seminal primary spermatocyte (lag70-90, 0.49; 0.14, 0.85) and mtDNAcn (lag0-90, 0.37; 0.12, 0.62, lag10-14, 0.31; 0.12, 0.49), negatively associated with STL (lag0-9, -0.30; -0.57, -0.03). PM2.5 was positively associated with mtDNAcn (0.50; 0.24, 0.75 and 0.38; 0.02, 0.75 for lag0-90 and lag70-90) while negatively associated with STL (lag70-90, -0.49; -0.96, -0.01). PM10 and NO2 were positively associated with mtDNAcn. Our findings indicate CO and PM might impair semen quality testicularly and post-testicularly while seminal spermatogenic cell, STL and mtDNAcn change indicate necessity for more attention on these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixiao Zhou
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China; School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Lipeng Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Guimin Hao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Binghua Li
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Sujuan Yang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Jiaming Liang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Hongyue Sun
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Shitao Ma
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Lina Yan
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Chunfang Zhao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Schoolof Basic Medical Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Yanjing Wei
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, School of Basic Medical Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Yujie Niu
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China.
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Chen YA, Chang YK, Su YR, Chang HC. Ambient sulfur dioxide could have an impact on testicular volume from a observational study on a population of infertile male. BMC Urol 2020; 20:149. [PMID: 33008439 PMCID: PMC7530959 DOI: 10.1186/s12894-020-00710-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The effect of ambient pollutants on the male reproductive system is controversial. This retrospective study investigated the effect of environmental pollutants on male reproductive health. Methods Male patients with primary infertility (n = 282) were identified from a single center between January 2016 and December 2017. Patients were physically examined for the presence of varicocele and for the volume of both testicles. Semen quality was measured in terms of the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and the percentage of sperm cells with motility and normal morphology. Data were acquired on the concentration of ambient pollutants, namely particulate matters of diameter < 2.5 μm, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and ozone (O3), measured on daily and hourly basis, from the Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, Taiwan. Individual exposure to pollutants was estimated based on the reported residential address of each participant. Statistical analysis indicated the effect of each pollutant on the testicular volume, sex hormone profile, and semen parameters. Results The mean ± standard deviation of age was 36.7 ± 7.3 years. The average sperm count and concentration were 41.9 million/mL and 34.1 million/mL, respectively. The mean levels of serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were 3.57 ± 1.68 ng/mL, 7.59 ± 6.3 IU/L, and 4.68 ± 3.49 IU/L, respectively. According to the multivariate linear regression model, NOx exposure was a risk factor for decreased sperm concentration and motility (p = 0.043 and 0.032). Furthermore, SO2 exposure was negatively associated and testicular volume (p < 0.01). Conclusions NO2 and SO2 exposure were negatively associated with the seminal parameter and decreased testicular volume, respectively, in a population of men with infertility. However, additional prospective studies are needed to ascertain the cause–effect relation of current results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-An Chen
- Department of Urology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No.1, Changde St., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei City, 10048, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, Cardinal Tien Hospital, School of Medicine Fu-Jen Catholic University, No.362, Zhongzheng Rd., Xindian Dist, New Taipei City, 231, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Kai Chang
- Department of Urology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No.1, Changde St., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei City, 10048, Taiwan
| | - Yann-Rong Su
- Department of Urology, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, NO.25, Lane 442, Sec.1, Jingguo Rd, Hsinchu City, 300, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Chiang Chang
- Department of Urology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No.1, Changde St., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei City, 10048, Taiwan.
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35
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Sun S, Zhao J, Cao W, Lu W, Zheng T, Zeng Q. Identifying critical exposure windows for ambient air pollution and semen quality in Chinese men. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 189:109894. [PMID: 32678738 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Emerging studies documented the association between ambient air pollution exposure and semen quality, but the critical exposure windows have not been comprehensively studied. To identify susceptible windows for associations of exposure to ambient respirable particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) with sperm concentration, sperm count, total motility, and progressive motility, we recruited 1061 men attending an infertility clinic in Wuhan, China, between 2011 and 2013. We used a distributed lag multivariate linear regression to assess the exposure-lag-response relationship between semen quality and weekly air pollution exposure. The critical exposure windows were during the 6th to 12th sperm development weeks for PM10, 10th to 11th weeks for O3, and 0 to 5th weeks for SO2. Over the entire 12 weeks of spermatogenesis period, an interquartile range increase (IQR) increase in PM10 was associated with declined sperm concentration [-45.64% (95% CI: -59.97%, -26.18%) percent decrease], declined sperm count [-49.42% (95% CI: -64.42%, -28.09%) percent decrease], reduced total motility [-12.42 (95% CI: -20.47, -4.37)], and reduced progressive motility [-8.81 (95% CI: -16.00, -1.61)], SO2 per IQR increase was associated with reduced sperm concentration [-39.73% (95% CI: -55.96%, -17.51%) percent decrease] and total motility [-8.64 (95% CI: -16.90, -0.38)], but NO2 and O3 were not associated with any of the four sperm quality parameters. Our findings suggest that exposure to PM10 during spermatidogenesis period, exposure to SO2 during spermatocytogenesis period, and exposure to O3 during spermiogenesis period were associated with impaired semen quality, which implies air pollutants impair semen quality through varied pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengzhi Sun
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Jinzhu Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, PR China
| | - Wangnan Cao
- Center for Evidence Synthesis in Health, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Wenqing Lu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR 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, PR China
| | - Tongzhang Zheng
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, 02906, USA
| | - Qiang Zeng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR 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, PR China; Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, 02906, USA.
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36
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Huang G, Zhang Q, Wu H, Wang Q, Chen Y, Guo P, Zhao Q. Sperm quality and ambient air pollution exposure: A retrospective, cohort study in a Southern province of China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 188:109756. [PMID: 32531526 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal semen quality is one of the common causes of infertility. The relationship between exposure to air pollutants and semen quality is unclear. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the impact of ambient air pollutant exposures on semen quality. METHODS We analyzed 3797 semen samples from Guangdong Human Sperm Bank between May 28, 2018 and March 31, 2019. The inverse distance weighted interpolation method was used to estimate the personal exposures to CO, SO2, NO2, O3, PM10 and PM2.5 during the entire period (0-90 lag days) and key periods (0-9, 10-14, 70-90 lag days) of sperm development. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the exposure-response relationships between air pollutants and semen quality, including sperm concentration, sperm count and sperm motility, after adjusting for other covariates. The regression coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with each interquartile range (IQR) increase in pollutant concentrations were estimated for each semen quality parameter. RESULTS Overall, we observed a significant association of decreased sperm count with the exposure to PM10 (-0.2466; -0.4443, -0.0489) and PM2.5 (-0.2910; -0.5401, -0.0419). Among the sperm quality parameters assessed, sperm count was observed more frequently to be negatively associated with ambient air pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, PM10 and PM2.5), especially for the period during 10-14 lag days. In addition, motility decline was significantly associated with O3 in the late stage of sperm development. Sensitivity analyses for subgroup population yielded similar results. No significant association was found between all pollutants and sperm concentration (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that ambient air pollutants exposures during sperm development may have an adverse effect on semen quality, especially for sperm count and motility. The findings emphasize the potential to improve semen quality by reducing ambient air pollutant exposures, and the importance of taking into account the critical period of sperm development when protective measures are implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanhao Huang
- Department of Healthcare, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511442, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Good Clinical Practice Office, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Haisheng Wu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Qiling Wang
- Epidemiological Research Office of Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, National Health Commission of PR China, Family Planning Special Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510600, China
| | - Yuliang Chen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Pi Guo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China.
| | - Qingguo Zhao
- Epidemiological Research Office of Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, National Health Commission of PR China, Family Planning Special Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510600, China.
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37
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Zhang HT, Zhang Z, Cao J, Tang WH, Zhang HL, Hong K, Lin HC, Wu H, Chen Q, Jiang H. Ambient ozone pollution is associated with decreased semen quality: longitudinal analysis of 8945 semen samples from 2015 to 2018 and during pollution-control period in Beijing, China. Asian J Androl 2020; 21:501-507. [PMID: 30688213 PMCID: PMC6732886 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_116_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies suggest that air pollution has a negative effect on semen quality. However, most studies are cross-sectional and the results are controversial. This study investigated the associations between air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3) and semen quality among sperm donation candidates, especially when the air pollution was artificially controlled in Beijing, China. We analyzed 8945 semen samples in the human sperm bank of Peking University Third Hospital (Beijing, China) from October 2015 to May 2018. Air pollution data during the entire period (0–90 days prior) and key stages (0–9, 10–14, and 70–90 days prior) of sperm development were collected from the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre. The association between air pollutants and semen parameters (sperm concentration and progressive motility) was analyzed by a mixed model adjusted for age, abstinence duration, month, and average ambient temperature. Only O3 during key stages of 0–9 days and 10–14 days and the entire period was negatively associated with sperm concentration between 2015 and 2018 (P < 0.01). During the period of air pollution control from November 2017 to January 2018, except for the increase in O3 concentration, other five pollutants’ concentrations decreased compared to those in previous years. In this period, the sperm concentration decreased (P < 0.001). During the pollution-control period, O3 exposure 10–14 days prior was negatively associated with sperm concentration (95% CI: −0.399–−0.111; P < 0.001). No significant association was found between the other five pollutants and semen quality during that period. Our study suggested that only O3 exposure was harmful to semen quality. Therefore, O3 should not be neglected during pollution control operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Tao Zhang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jia Cao
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Wen-Hao Tang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Human Sperm Bank, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hong-Liang Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Human Sperm Bank, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Kai Hong
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hao-Cheng Lin
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Han Wu
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Human Sperm Bank, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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Qiu Y, Yang T, Seyler BC, Wang X, Wang Y, Jiang M, Liu B, Li F. Ambient air pollution and male fecundity: A retrospective analysis of longitudinal data from a Chinese human sperm bank (2013-2018). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 186:109528. [PMID: 32668535 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ambient air pollution has adverse effects on human health and reproduction. A number of studies have suggested a significant association between ambient air pollution and human fecundity, with most studies focusing on cross-sectional data from the general male population with single semen samples. We conducted a retrospective study in China using longitudinal analysis of repeated semen samples to investigate the association between environmental exposure parameters (e.g., PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, ground temperature, and relative humidity) and sperm quality parameters (e.g., semen volume, sperm concentration, forward motility concentration, and percentage of progressive rate) during different exposure windows (current day, 90-day preceding). Data from 686 males and 4841 semen samples collected between 2013 and 2018 at Sichuan Provincial Sperm Bank were included in a mixed-effects model analysis. The study population was young, healthy, and well-educated. The results indicate that 90-day average concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and CO were negatively associated with sperm concentration and forward motility concentration, whereas 90-day average concentration of O3 was positively associated with forward motility concentration. Between-subject variability played the dominant role in overall model variance. Our results suggest that chronic exposure to particulate matter and CO may interfere with spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Qiu
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Tingting Yang
- Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Maternal and Child Diseases and Birth Defects, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Barnabas C Seyler
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xiuli Wang
- West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Min Jiang
- Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Maternal and Child Diseases and Birth Defects, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Maternal and Child Diseases and Birth Defects, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Fuping Li
- Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Maternal and Child Diseases and Birth Defects, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Pinto‐Pinho P, Matos J, Arantes‐Rodrigues R, Gomes Z, Brito M, Moutinho O, Colaço B, Pinto‐Leite R. Association of lifestyle factors with semen quality: A pilot study conducted in men from the Portuguese Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro region followed in fertility support consultations. Andrologia 2020; 52:e13549. [DOI: 10.1111/and.13549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Pinto‐Pinho
- Genetics/Andrology Laboratory Hospital Centre of Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro (CHTMAD) Vila Real Portugal
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology University of Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) Vila Real Portugal
| | - Joana Matos
- Genetics/Andrology Laboratory Hospital Centre of Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro (CHTMAD) Vila Real Portugal
| | - Regina Arantes‐Rodrigues
- Genetics/Andrology Laboratory Hospital Centre of Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro (CHTMAD) Vila Real Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro‐environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB) University of Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) Vila Real Portugal
| | - Zélia Gomes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Centre of Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro (CHTMAD) Vila Real Portugal
| | - Miguel Brito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Centre of Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro (CHTMAD) Vila Real Portugal
| | - Osvaldo Moutinho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Centre of Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro (CHTMAD) Vila Real Portugal
| | - Bruno Colaço
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro‐environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB) University of Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) Vila Real Portugal
| | - Rosário Pinto‐Leite
- Genetics/Andrology Laboratory Hospital Centre of Trás‐os‐Montes and Alto Douro (CHTMAD) Vila Real Portugal
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Impacts of Outdoor Air Pollution on Human Semen Quality: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:7528901. [PMID: 32420369 PMCID: PMC7204269 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7528901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Several studies have explored the association between outdoor air pollution and semen quality. However, the results were inconsistent. We performed the current meta-analysis to evaluate the role of outdoor air pollution in semen quality. Material and Methods. Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched to identify relevant studies. Relative data in participants under higher exposure and lower exposure to air pollution were extracted. Pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized to assess the effects of outdoor air pollution on semen quality. In addition, trial sequential analyses (TSAs) were performed to obtain a more comprehensive assessment of analyses. Results A total of 11 studies with 4562 males were enrolled in the current meta-analysis. Higher air pollution levels were associated with significant decreases in semen volume (WMD: -0.16, 95% CI: -0.27 to -0.05), sperm concentration (WMD: -5.52, 95% CI: -9.88 to -1.16), progressive motility (WMD: -6.23, 95% CI: -11.64 to -0.81), total motility (WMD: -7.65, 95% CI: -14.09 to -1.20), and normal sperm morphology rate (WMD: -3.71, 95% CI: -5.59 to -1.82). In addition, the DNA fragmentation index significantly increased (WMD: 4.11, 95% CI: 1.94 to 6.29). Conclusions Air pollution is associated with decreased semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology rate.
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Zhang G, Jiang F, Chen Q, Yang H, Zhou N, Sun L, Zou P, Yang W, Cao J, Zhou Z, Ao L. Associations of ambient air pollutant exposure with seminal plasma MDA, sperm mtDNA copy number, and mtDNA integrity. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 136:105483. [PMID: 31999972 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current available evidence regarding the detrimental effects of low-level ambient air pollution on conventional semen parameters is inconclusive. In nonreproductive systems, air pollutant exposure has been demonstrated to induce oxidative stress (OS), which is a crucial mechanism that mediates sperm damage and male infertility. Thus, it may be essential to investigate the effects of air pollution on sperm quality in terms of the perspectives of OS and relative molecular damage. OBJECTIVES We assessed the associations of major air pollutant exposure to oxidative stress-mediated alterations in semen, including seminal plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), sperm mtDNA copy number, and integrity. METHODS The present study used data gathered from 516 young men participating in the Male Reproductive Health in Chongqing College student (MARCHS) cohort study during the follow-up stage in 2014 (n = 427 on the old campus, which is located in an urban area and has worse air quality, and n = 89 on the new campus, which is not urban and has better air quality). Data regarding major air pollutant exposure during 0-90, 0-9, 10-14 and 70-90 days before each semen examination (corresponding to the entire and three key periods of sperm development, respectively) were collected. The Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test was employed to compare distributions of major air pollutants and to explore differences in MDA, mtDNA copy number, and mtDNA integrity between the two campuses. A linear regression model was used as multivariable analysis to investigate associations of major air pollutant exposure with these biomarkers of oxidative damage to sperm and to adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS During all four key periods of sperm development, compared with college students on the new campus, college students on the old campus were exposed to higher levels of PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and CO, and had higher air quality index (AQI) values, indicating that these participants suffered from worse air quality. The levels of seminal plasma MDA in college students on the old campus were higher than those for the new campus (2.0 nmol/ml; 0.7, 3.6 vs. 1.6 nmol/ml; 0.4, 3.4, p < 0.001) (medians with 5th and 95th percentiles). There were no significant differences in sperm mtDNA copy number and mtDNA integrity between the two campuses. Furthermore, daily average PM10 exposure during 0-90 days before semen ejaculation was found to be significantly and positively associated with seminal plasma MDA level (10.4; 95% CI, 4.4, 16.4) (percentage change per 10-unit increase in air pollutant concentration; same meanings for the results below); daily average SO2 exposure for 70-90 days and NO2 exposure for 0-9 days prior to sampling were also positively associated with MDA level (74.7; 95% CI, 32.1, 119 and 11.9; 95% CI, 4.8, 19.0, respectively). AQI for 0-90 days and 70-90 days prior to sampling positively correlated with seminal plasma MDA concentrations (11.4; 95% CI, 4.7, 18.1 and 12.2; 95% CI, 5.3, 19.1, respectively). Additionally, daily average SO2 exposures for 10-14 and 0-9 days prior to sampling were negatively associated with sperm mtDNA copy number and mtDNA integrity, respectively (-9.0; 95% CI, -16.4, -1.6 and -38.3; 95% CI, -64.1, -11.8, respectively). However, only the correlations between SO2 exposure and AQI value for 70-90 days prior to sampling and MDA levels remained significant after multiplicity adjustment. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that bad air quality, especially SO2 exposure during certain periods of sperm development, might be correlated with oxidative damage to sperm. These findings can deepen the understanding of the potential impacts of air pollution on sperm quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fan Jiang
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Niya Zhou
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Zou
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wang Yang
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jia Cao
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ziyuan Zhou
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Lin Ao
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Zhou Y, Meng T, Wu L, Duan Y, Li G, Shi C, Zhang H, Peng Z, Fan C, Ma J, Xiong C, Bao W, Liu Y. Association between ambient temperature and semen quality: A longitudinal study of 10 802 men in China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 135:105364. [PMID: 31841801 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Semen quality is a vital determinant for male fertility. The process of spermatogenesis is highly sensitive to fluctuations in temperature. However, the impact of ambient temperature on semen quality remains unclear. We aimed to quantitatively assess the association between ambient temperature and semen quality. Using data from Hubei provincial human sperm bank in Wuhan, China, we conducted a longitudinal study including 10 802 volunteers who lived in Wuhan and passed the initial physical examination for sperm donation between Mar 27, 2013 and April 9, 2018. Semen quality parameters including sperm concentration, total sperm number, total motility, progressive motility, total motile sperm count and progressively motile sperm count were determined in the sperm bank. We used linear mixed models to identify estimate changes of outcomes in relation to ambient temperature (i.e., air temperature and apparent temperature) exposure measured as the mean daily temperature during the 0-90 days before semen collection. Among 10 802 subjects who underwent 41 689 semen examinations, we observed inverted U-shaped exposure-response associations between air temperature exposure and all semen quality parameters, with an identical threshold exposure of 13 °C. For air temperature exposure <13 °C, each 5 °C lower temperature was significantly associated with 1.94 × 106/ml, 7.12 × 106, 0.77%, 0.81%, 6.48 × 106, and 5.87 × 106 decrease in sperm concentration, total sperm count, total motility, progressive motility, total motile sperm count and progressively motile sperm count, respectively. When air temperature exposure was ≥13 °C, each 5 °C higher temperature was significantly associated with 0.70 × 106/ml, 4.09 × 106, 1.01%, 1.06%, 4.31 × 106, and 4.20 × 106 decrease in sperm concentration, total sperm count, total motility, progressive motility, total motile sperm count and progressively motile sperm count, respectively. Age, BMI and smoking did not significantly modify these associations. Similar results were observed for apparent temperature. This study provides a comprehensive picture of nonlinear association between ambient temperature and semen quality, as well as an optimal temperature for the benefit of semen quality. Both lower and higher ambient temperature exposures compared with the optimal temperature were significantly associated with decreased semen quality. The findings highlight the needs and importance to reduce extreme ambient temperature exposures in maintaining optimal semen quality for men. Further investigation is warranted to determine the causality of the association and the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhou
- School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, China
| | - Tianqing Meng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Li Wu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Yonggang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Centre of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518053, China
| | - Guo Li
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Chunxiang Shi
- National Meteorological Information Center, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hai Zhang
- Institute of Health Surveillance, Analysis and Protection, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Zhe Peng
- Institute of Health Surveillance, Analysis and Protection, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Chuangang Fan
- Institute of Health Surveillance, Analysis and Protection, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Jixuan Ma
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Chengliang Xiong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Wei Bao
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Yuewei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
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Li X, Luo L, Bi Y, Wang A, Chen Y, Han N, Wang F. Etched p-Type Si Nanowires for Efficient Ozone Decomposition. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2019; 14:374. [PMID: 31823089 PMCID: PMC6904714 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-019-3205-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
High concentration ozone can damage greatly to the respiratory, cardiovascular systems, and fertility of people, and catalytic decomposition is an important strategy to reduce its harm. However, it remains a challenge to develop efficient ozone decomposition catalysts with high efficiency. In this study, p- and n-type silicon nanowires (Si NWs) are fabricated by wet chemical etching method and are firstly applied to catalytic decompose ozone at room temperature. The p-type Si NWs exhibit 90% ozone (20 ppm O3/air) decomposition efficiency with great stability, which is much better than that of n-type Si NWs (50%) with same crystal orientation, similar diameter and specific surface area. The catalytic property difference is mainly attributed to the more delocalization holes in the p-type Si NWs, which can accelerate the desorption of ozone decomposition intermediates (i.e., adsorbed oxygen species).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Li
- College of Physics and State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071 China
| | - Linqu Luo
- College of Physics and State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071 China
| | - Yicheng Bi
- College of Electromechanical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao, 260061 China
| | - Anqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
| | - Yunfa Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
| | - Ning Han
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China
| | - Fengyun Wang
- College of Physics and State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071 China
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Qiu J, Dong M, Zhou F, Li P, Kong L, Tan J. Associations between ambient air pollution and pregnancy rate in women who underwent in vitro fertilization in Shenyang, China. Reprod Toxicol 2019; 89:130-135. [PMID: 31306769 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
To assess the associations between air pollution and the pregnancy rate of IVF, we performed a retrospective cohort study on 1455 women who underwent the first fresh IVF cycle at a fertility center from January 2014 to April 2018 and lived in Shenyang during treatment. Binary logistic regression models were used to evaluate the effect of an interquartile range increase in each pollutant on the intrauterine pregnancy rate. Both average chronic and daily acute exposure to air pollution were considered. Increased O3 (adjusted OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.81, 0.98) during the period from gonadotropins starting to oocyte retrieval was associated with decreased probability of intrauterine pregnancy, especially the day before oocyte retrieval (adjusted OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.78, 0.95). Our results suggest that exposure to O3 before oocyte retrieval has an adverse effect on intrauterine pregnancy. Future studies should be performed in order to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Qiu
- Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39, Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Diseases and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China
| | - Meng Dong
- Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39, Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Diseases and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China
| | - Feifei Zhou
- Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39, Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Diseases and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China
| | - Pingping Li
- Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39, Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Diseases and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China
| | - Lin Kong
- Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39, Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Diseases and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China
| | - Jichun Tan
- Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39, Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Diseases and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China.
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Wang X, Tian X, Ye B, Zhang Y, Li C, Liao J, Zou Y, Zhang S, Zhu Y, Yang J, Ma L. Gaseous pollutant exposure affects semen quality in central China: a cross-sectional study. Andrology 2019; 8:117-124. [PMID: 31169363 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited studies have explored the association between gaseous pollutant exposures and male reproductive outcomes, and findings remained inconsistent. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the potential association between gaseous pollutants and semen quality within different exposure windows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We adopted semen quality data of 1852 subjects who attended the Reproductive Medicine Center of Renmin Hospital at Wuhan University during January 1st, 2013, to August 3rd, 2015. A generalized linear model was employed to assess the relationship between each exposure variable and sperm parameters in different exposure windows. RESULTS SO2 exposure with lag 0-90 days was significantly associated with decreased sperm concentration (β: -1.362; 95% CI: -1.844, -0.879), sperm count (β: -2.979; 95% CI: -4.267, -1.691), and PR (β: -0.551; 95% CI: -0.710, -0.393). Similar trends were observed for SO2 exposure with three other key periods (lag 0-9, 10-14, and 70-90 days). NO2 exposure with lag 0-90 days was also associated with decreased sperm concentration (β: -0.517; 95% CI: -1.006, -0.027), sperm count (β: -1.914; 95% CI: -3.214, -0.615), and PR (β: -0.264; 95% CI: -0.425, -0.102). No relationship between gaseous pollutant exposure and ejaculate volume was observed in any exposure window. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our study indicated a strong adverse effect of gaseous pollutants on semen quality outcomes during the sperm development. Gaseous pollution exposure appeared to be more detrimental in the initial phase of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - X Tian
- Department of Healthcare Management, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - B Ye
- Department of Healthcare Management, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Y Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - C Li
- Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention of the Lianyungang Economic and Technological Development Area, Lianyungang, China
| | - J Liao
- Department of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology School of Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Y Zou
- Department of Healthcare Management, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Global Health Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - S Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Y Zhu
- Department of Healthcare Management, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - J Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - L Ma
- Department of Healthcare Management, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Global Health Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Zhou L, Su X, Li B, Chu C, Sun H, Zhang N, Han B, Li C, Zou B, Niu Y, Zhang R. PM2.5 exposure impairs sperm quality through testicular damage dependent on NALP3 inflammasome and miR-183/96/182 cluster targeting FOXO1 in mouse. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 169:551-563. [PMID: 30476817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.10.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to ambient fine particular matter (PM2.5) has been clearly associated with male reproductive disorders. However, very limited toxicological studies were carried out to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the PM2.5-induced sperm quality decline. In the present study, we established a real time whole-body PM2.5 exposure mouse model to investigate the effects of PM2.5 on sperm quality and its potential mechanisms. Sixty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly subjected to three groups: filtered air group, unfiltered air group and concentrated air group. Half of the mice from each group were sacrificed for study when the exposure duration accumulated to 8 weeks and the rest of the mice were sacrificed when exposed for 16 weeks. Our results suggested that PM2.5 exposure could induce significant increases in circulating white blood cells and inflammation in lungs. PM2.5 exposure induced apparently DNA damages and histopathologic changes in testes. There were significantly decreased sperm densities of mice, which were paralleled with the down-regulated testosterone levels in testes tissue of mice after exposure to PM2.5 for 16 weeks. The numbers of motile sperms were decreased and sperms with abnormal morphology were increased after PM2.5 exposure in a time-depended and dose-depended manner. PM2.5 exposure significantly increased the expression of the major components of the NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein3 (NALP3) inflammasome, accompanied by the increased expression of miR-183/96/182 targeting FOXO1 in testes. The present data demonstrated that sperm quality decline induced by PM2.5 could be partly explained by the inflammatory reaction in testes which might be a consequence of systemic inflammation. The molecular mechanism was depended on the activation of NALP3 inflammasome accompanied by miR-183/96/182 targeting FOXO1 in testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixiao Zhou
- Department of Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xuan Su
- Department of Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Binghua Li
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chen Chu
- Department of Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hongyue Sun
- Department of Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bin Han
- Department of Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bingjie Zou
- Department of Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yujie Niu
- Department of Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China; Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China; Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, China.
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Choe SA, Jun YB, Lee WS, Yoon TK, Kim SY. Association between ambient air pollution and pregnancy rate in women who underwent IVF. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:1071-1078. [PMID: 29659826 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are the concentrations of five criteria air pollutants associated with probabilities of biochemical pregnancy loss and intrauterine pregnancy in women? SUMMARY ANSWER Increased concentrations of ambient particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and after embryo transfer were associated with a decreased probability of intrauterine pregnancy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Exposure to high ambient air pollution was suggested to be associated with low fertility and high early pregnancy loss in women. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Using a retrospective cohort study design, we analysed 6621 cycles of 4581 patients who underwent one or more fresh IVF cycles at a fertility centre from January 2006 to December 2014, and lived in Seoul at the time of IVF treatment. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS To estimate patients' individual exposure to air pollution, we computed averages of hourly concentrations of five air pollutants including PM10, NO2, CO, sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) measured at 40 regulatory monitoring sites in Seoul for each of the four exposure periods: period 1 (start of COS to oocyte retrieval), period 2 (oocyte retrieval to embryo transfer), period 3 (embryo transfer to hCG test), and period 4 (start of COS to hCG test). Hazard ratios (HRs) from the time-varying Cox-proportional hazards model were used to estimate probabilities of biochemical pregnancy loss and intrauterine pregnancy for an interquartile range (IQR) increase in each air pollutant concentration during each period, after adjusting for individual characteristics. We tested the robustness of the result using generalised linear mixed model, accounting for within-woman correlation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Mean age of the women was 35 years. Average BMI was 20.9 kg/m2 and the study population underwent 1.4 IVF cycles on average. Cumulative pregnancy rate in multiple IVF cycles was 51.3% per person. Survival analysis showed that air pollution during periods 1 and 3 was generally associated with IVF outcomes. Increased NO2 (adjusted HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87, 0.99) and CO (0.94, 95% CI: 0.89, 1.00) during period 1 were associated with decreased probability of intrauterine pregnancy. PM10 (0.92, 95% CI: 0.85, 0.99), NO2 (0.93, 95% CI = 0.86, 1.00) and CO (0.93, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.00) levels during period 3 were also inversely associated with intrauterine pregnancy. Both PM10 (1.17, 95% CI: 1.04 1.33) and NO2 (1.18, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.34) during period 3 showed positive associations with biochemical pregnancy loss. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The district-specific ambient air pollution treated as an individual exposure may not represent the actual level of each woman's exposure to air pollution. Smoking, working status, parity or gravidity of women, and semen analysis data were not included in the analysis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study provided evidence of an association between increased ambient concentrations of PM10, NO2 and CO and reduced probabilities for achieving intrauterine pregnancy using multiple IVF cycle data. Specifically, our results indicated that lower intrauterine pregnancy rates in IVF cycles may be linked to ambient air pollution during COS and the post-transfer period. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (2013 R1A6A3A04059017, 2016 R1D1A1B03933410 and 2018 R1A2B6004608) and the National Cancer Center of Korea (NCC-1810220-01). The authors report no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Choe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, CHA University.,CHA fertility center, Seoul station, Jung-gu, Seoul 04637, Korea
| | - Y B Jun
- Department of Statistics, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - W S Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, CHA University.,Fertility Center of CHA Gangnam Medical Center, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06135, Korea
| | - T K Yoon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, CHA University.,CHA fertility center, Seoul station, Jung-gu, Seoul 04637, Korea
| | - S Y Kim
- Department of Cancer Control and Population Health, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, 10408, Korea
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Ma J, Wu L, Zhou Y, Zhang H, Xiong C, Peng Z, Bao W, Meng T, Liu Y. Association between BMI and semen quality: an observational study of 3966 sperm donors. Hum Reprod 2019; 34:155-162. [PMID: 30407511 PMCID: PMC6676949 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the relationship between abnormal BMI and semen quality? SUMMARY ANSWER Underweight was significantly associated with lower sperm concentration, total sperm number and total motile sperm count, while overweight was significantly associated with lower semen volume, total sperm number and total motile sperm count. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Abnormal BMI has been associated with lower semen quality, but the results remain somewhat controversial. In addition, most previous studies have focused on the influence of obesity or overweight on semen quality, and evidence on the association between underweight and semen quality is rare. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This research was an observational study investigating 3966 sperm donors from a large sperm bank in Wuhan city, China. These donors passed the screening for sperm donation and underwent 29 949 semen examinations between 1 January 2013 and 9 April 2018. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS BMI was categorized into four groups: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2). Semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, total motility, progressive motility and total motile sperm count were determined by trained clinical technicians. Linear mixed models were used to conduct dose-response analyses between BMI and semen quality parameters. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Underweight was significantly associated with a 3.0% (95% CI: 0.1%, 5.8%), 6.7% (1.9%, 11.3%) and 7.4% (2.2%, 12.4%) reduction in sperm concentration, total sperm number and total motile sperm count, respectively. Overweight was significantly associated with a 4.2% (1.6%, 6.8%), 3.9% (0.9%, 6.9%) and 3.6% (0.2%, 6.9%) reduction in semen volume, total sperm number and total motile sperm count, respectively. Non-linear models including continuous BMI as a natural cubic spline function yielded similar results. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Our study subjects were sperm donors who are typically young and healthy, and therefore not representative of the general male population. Caution should be paid in generalizing our results to other populations. Furthermore, we did not measure the donors' weight repeatedly along with each semen donation; instead, we only measured it once during the screening, which may cause bias due to the variations of weight across time. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study provides evidence that underweight and overweight are associated with lower semen quality, and highlights the importance of maintaining a normal weight for men. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the Health and Family Planning Commission of Hubei Province (Grant number WJ2015MA027), the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, and Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research at the University of Iowa. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixuan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Li Wu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hai Zhang
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chengliang Xiong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhe Peng
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Bao
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Tianqing Meng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuewei Liu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Morgan HL, Watkins AJ. Transgenerational Impact of Environmental Change. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1200:71-89. [PMID: 31471795 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-23633-5_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions is critical for any species to survive. Many environmental changes occur too rapidly for an organism's genome to adapt in time. Accordingly, being able to modify either its own phenotype, or the phenotype of its offspring to better suit future anticipated environmental conditions could afford an organism a significant advantage. However, a range of animal models and human epidemiological data sets are now showing that environmental factors such as changes in the quality or quantity of an individual's diet, temperature, stress or exposure to pollutants can all adversely affect the quality of parental gametes, the development of the preimplantation embryo and the health and wellbeing of offspring over multiple generations. This chapter will examine transgenerational effects of both maternal and paternal environmental factors on offspring development and wellbeing in both human and animal model studies. Changes in the epigenetic status of either parental or grand-parental gametes provide one candidate mechanism through which the impacts of environmental experience can be passed from one generation to another. This chapter will therefore also focus on the impact of parental and grand-parental diet on epigenetic transgenerational inheritance and offspring phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Morgan
- Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Adam J Watkins
- Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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Jurewicz J, Dziewirska E, Radwan M, Hanke W. Air pollution from natural and anthropic sources and male fertility. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2018; 16:109. [PMID: 30579357 PMCID: PMC6304234 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-018-0430-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to air pollution has been clearly associated with a range of adverse health effects, including reproductive toxicity. However, a limited amount of research has been conducted to examine the association between air pollution and male reproductive outcomes, specially semen quality. We performed a systematic review (up to March 2017) to assess the impact of environmental and occupational exposure to air pollution on semen quality. Epidemiological studies focusing on air pollution exposures and male reproduction were identified by a search of the PUBMED, MEDLINE, EBSCO and TOXNET literature bases. Twenty-two studies were included which assess the impact of air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NOx, O3, PAHs) on main semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility, morphology), CASA parameters, DNA fragmentation, sperm aneuploidy and the level of reproductive hormones. The number of studies found significant results supporting the evidence that air pollution may affect: DNA fragmentation, morphology and motility.In summary, most studies concluded that outdoor air pollution affects at least one of the assessed semen parameters. However the diversity of air pollutants and semen parameters presented in the studies included in the review and different study design caused lack of consistency in results and difficulties in comparison.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Jurewicz
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 8 Teresy St, 91-362, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Emila Dziewirska
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 8 Teresy St, 91-362, Lodz, Poland
| | - Michał Radwan
- Department of Gynecology and Reproduction, "Gameta" Hospital, 34/36 Rudzka St, 95-030, Rzgów, Poland
- Faculty of Health Sciences, The State University of Applied Sciences in Plock, 2 Dąbrowskiego Sq, 09-402, Płock, Poland
| | - Wojciech Hanke
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 8 Teresy St, 91-362, Lodz, Poland
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