JRI 

Mohammad Ali Sedighi Corresponding Author
1- Urology Department, Shariati Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
2- Andrology Department, Royan Research Center, Tehran, Iran
Omid Aminian
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Faezeh Dehghan
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Received: 7/1/2003 Accepted: 7/1/2003 - Publisher : Avicenna Research Institute

Related Articles

 

Other Format

 


Abstract

Male reproductive function is known to be highly sensitive to many chemicals and physical agents generated by industrial or agricaltural activities. Alterations in sperm count or semen quality have been documented for a number of occupational exposures. These exposures include, pesticides, solvents, heat, metals, radiation ,estrogens and etc. Because of the infertility and individual and social problems, stress and also expensive treatment, prevention of these exposures should be emphasized and the distinction of occupational type of infertility from idiopathic form is necessary. The present study determined the frequency of occupational exposures and seminal charactristics among groups of men with abnormal semen parameters (idiopathic or unexplained) referred to Royan Institute .A total of 1550 consecutive men whose spouses were unable to conceive were recruited from an infertility clinic. Of these, 500 men were found to have un known cause for their reduced semen quality. They had at least two semen analyses and the results of recent semen analysis were linked to occupational exposure data from a self- administered questionnaire. Occupational exposures known to be hazardous to fertility was present in 164 men (32.8%). Among the exposed group, 36 men(22%) were exposed to pesticides, 46 men(28%) to solvents, 56 men(34/1%) to heat and 26 men(15/9%) to mixed agents. Frequency of high risk occupational groups were farmers 6. 8% (n=34), drivers 7. 8% (n=40), welders 4.4% (n=22). Frequency of semen characteristics of this group was astenoszoospermia (98.2%), teratozoospermia, oligozoospermia, oloigoasthenozoospermia and Azoospermia, respectively. Abnormal sperm reports especially oligozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia had more frequency in exposed group, with most cases falling under mixed subgroup. Also, mean semen parameters including, total sperm count, motility and normal morphology was less in exposed group. We concluded that occupational exposures play an important role in idiopathic infertile men, affecting 33% of patients. Therefore, Identification of potential reproductive hazards, education and advocation of patients, and reduction of exposure level via Industrial health programs can be helpful.


Keywords: Male infertility, Occupational exposures, Sperm, Semen, Semen quality, Farmers, Welding, Work


To cite this article:


References

  1. Paul M., Frazier L. Reproductive Disorders.In: Levy B.S., Wegman D.H.(Editors).Occupational health. 4th Edition.Lippincot Williams & wilkns.2000;590-3.
  2. Chia S.E., Alvin Lim S.T., Tay S.K., Lim S.T. Factors associated with made infertility : a case- control study of 218 infertile and 240 Fertile men. BJOG.2000;107(1):55-61
  3. Lemasters G.K. Occupational exposures and effects on male and female reproduction. In:Rom W.N. (Editor).Environmental occupational Medicine, 3th Edition. Lippincot- Raven.1998;PP: 223-7.
  4. Osorio A.M. Male reproductive toxicology. In:Ladou J.(Editor). Occupational environmental medicine, 2th Edition. Prentice- Hall Intrernational, Inc.1997;PP:398-400.
  5. Carlsen E., Giwercman A., keiding N., Ska kkebaek N.E. Evidence for decreasing quality of semen during past years. BMJ.1992;305:609-613.
  6. Whorton M. Male occupational reproductive hazards. In: ZENZ C. (Editor).Occupational medicine, 3th Edition. Mosby. 1994;PP:870-3.
  7. M.C., Guigan M., Bailey B. Teratogenesis and reproductive toxicology. In:Sullivan J. (Editor). Clinical environmental health and toxic exposures, 2thEdition,Lippincot Williams & wilkins. 1999;PP:292-3.
  8. Olsen G.W., Lanbam J.M., Bonder K.M., et al. Determinants of spermatogenesis recovery among workers exposed to 1,2-dibromo 3 chropropropan. J occup Med.1990;32:979-984.
  9. National institute for occupational safetly and health. The effects of workplace Hazards on male reproductive health. Cincinnati, OH, Department of health and Human services National institute for occupational safety and health publ. No 96132,1996.
  10. Clifton D.K., Bremner W.J., The effect of testicular X- irradiation on spermatogenesis in man. A comparison with the mouse. J Androl. 1983;4:387-392.
  11. Figa-Talamnca I., Dell orco V., Pupi A.,et al. Fertility and semen quality of workers exposed to high temperatures in the ceramic industry. Repord Toxicol.1992;6:517-523.
  12. Bond J.P., Hansen K.S., Levin R.J. Fertility among Danish male welders. Scand J Work Environ Health.1990;16:315-322.
  13. Figa- Talmanca I., Cini C., varricchio G.C.,et al. Effects of prolonged auto vehicle driving on male reproductive function: a study among taxi drivers. AM J Indust Med. 1996;30:750-758.
  14. Lerda D. Study of sperm characteristics in persons occupationally exposed to Lead. Am J Ind.1992;22:567-71.
  15. Ratcliffe J.M., Schrader S.M., Clap D.E.,et al. Semen quality in workers exposed to 2-ethoxythanol. Br J Ind Med.1989;46:399-400.
  16. Lahadetie J. Occupation and exposure- related studies on human sperm. J Occup Environ Med. 1995;37(8):922-30.
  17. Bonde J.P. Occupational risk to male reproduction. Int Arc Occup Environ Health. 1999;72:133-134.
  18. Tilemans E., Burdorf A., Ie Velde E., et al. Occupationally related exposures and reduced semen quality: a case-control study. Fertil Steril. 1999;71(4):690-6.
  19. Purvis k., Christiansen E. Male infertility : current concepts. Ann Med.1993;24:259.
  20. Oliva A., Spira A., Mutigner L. Contribution of environmental factors to the risk of male infertility. Hum Reprod. 2001;16(8):1768-1776
  21. WHO, Laboratory manual for examination of human semen and sperm- cervical mucus Intraction. 1992;P:8.
  22. Tielemans E., Heederik D., Burdorf A; et al. Assessment of occupational exposures in a general population :comparison of different methods .Occup Environ Med.1999;56:145-151.
  23. Penkov A., Stainslavov R., Tzvetkov. D. Male reproductive function in workers exposed to vibration. Cent Eur J Public.1996; 4(3):185-8.
  24. Bond J.P., Ernest E. Sex hormones and semen quality in welders exposed to hexavalent chromium. Hum Exp Toxicol. 1992;11:259-263.
  25. Eenderson J., Rennie C.G., Baker H.W.G.Association between occupational group and sperm concentration in infertile men.Clin Repord Fertil.1986;4:275-281.
  26. Bonde J.P.Semen quality and sex hormones among mild steel and stainless steel welders:a cross sectional study.Br J Ind Med.1990;47:508-514.
  27. kenkel S., Rolf C., Nieschiag E. Occupational risks for male infertility : an analysis of patients attending a tertiary referral centre . J Androl. 2001;24(6):318-26.
  28. Chia S.E; Ong G.N., Tsakok F.M.H. Study of the effects of occupation and industry on sperm quality. Am Acad Med. 1994;23:645-649.
  29. Welch L.S., Plotkin E., Schrader . Indirect fertility analysis in painters exposed to ethylene glycol ethers: sensitivity and specificity.Am J Ind Med.1991; 20:229-240.
  30. Colter G.H., Senger P.L., Bailey D.R.Relationship of scrotal surface temperature measured by infrade thermography to subcutaneous and deep testicular temperature in the ram. J Repord Fertil.1988;84:417-421.
  31. Shafik A. Testicular suspension as a method of male contraception: technique and results.Adv Contract Deliv Syst. 1992; 6:269-279.
  32. Jung A., Schill U.B., Schwppe H.C. Genital heat stress in men of barren couples:a prospective evaluation by means of a questionnaire. J Androl. 2002;34:349-355.
  33. Cherry N., Labreche F., collins J Tulandi T. Occupational exposure to solvents and male infertility. Occup Environ Med. 2001;58:635-640.
  34. Welch L.S., Schrader S.M., Cullen M.R. Effects of exposure to ethylene glycol ethers on shipyard painters: male reproduction. Am J Ind Med. 1998;14:509-526.
  35. Jelnes J.E. Semen quality in workers producing reinforced plastic. Repord Toxicol. 1988;2: 209-12.
  36. kenkel S., Rolf C., Nieschiag E. Occupational risks for male infertility : an .analysis of patients attending a tertiary referral centre . J Androl. 2001;24(6):318-26.
  37. Strohmer H., Boldizer A., plockinger B., et al. Agricultural work and male Infertility . Am J Ind Med.1993; 24:587-592.
  38. Bigelow P.L., Jarrell j., Young M.K., et al. Association of semen quality and occupational factors: comparison of case- control analysis and analysis of continious variables .Fertil Steril. 1998;69 (1):11-18.
  39. Chia S.E., Tay S.k. Occupational risk for male infertility: A case- control study of 218 Infertile and 227 fertile men. J Occup Environ Med. 2001; 43(11):946-951.
  40. عباسي همايون، داروغه دفتر افشين. چكيده مقالات سمينار عوامل محيطي و ناباروري دانشگاه علوم‌پزشكي شهيدبهشتي 100 و 11 بهمن،1380، صفحه18.

COPE
SID
NLM
AJMB
IJBMLE
IJBMLE

Home | About Us | Current Issue | Past Issues | Submit a Manuscript | Instructions for Authors | Subscribe | Search | Contact Us

"Journal of Reproduction & Infertility" is owned, published, and managed by Avicenna Research Institute .
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution –NonCommercial 4.0 International License which allows users to read, copy, distribute and make derivative works for non-commercial purposes from the material, as long as the author of the original work is cited properly.

Journal of Reproductoin and Infertility (JRI) is a member of COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS . Verify here .

©2024 - eISSN : 2251-676X, ISSN : 2228-5482, For any comments and questions please contact us.