Decline in Semen Quality among Fertile Men in Paris during the Past 20 Years

Auger, Jacques; Kunstmann, J.-M.; Czyglik, F; Jouannet, Pierre

doi:10.1056/nejm199502023320501

Cited by 987 publications

(360 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] By contrast, other studies have shown no evidence of deteriorating semen quality. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Some studies concern infertile couples, while others analyse normal sperm parameters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decline of semen quality among 10 932 males consulting for couple infertility over a 20-year period in Marseille, France

Geoffroy-Siraudin¹,

Loundou²,

Romain³

et al. 2012

Asian J Androl

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Semen from 10 932 male partners of infertile couples was analysed and sperm parameter trends were evaluated at the Reproduction Biology Laboratory of the University Hospital of Marseille (France) between 1988 and 2007. After 3-6 days of abstinence, semen samples were collected. Measurements of seminal fluid volume, pH, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and detailed morphology of spermatozoa were performed. Sperm parameters were analysed on the entire population and in men with normal total numeration (o40 million per ejaculate). The whole population demonstrated declining trends in sperm concentration (1.5% per year), total sperm count (1.6% per year), total motility (0.4% per year), rapid motility (5.5% per year) and normal morphology (2.2% per year). In the group of selected samples with total normal sperm count, the same trends of sperm quality deterioration with time were observed. Our results clearly indicate that the quality of semen decreased in this population over the study period. Keywords: environment; male infertility; regional differences; semen quality; sperm parameters INTRODUCTION Numerous studies suggest a decline in semen quality in some parts of the world. 1-8 By contrast, other studies have shown no evidence of deteriorating semen quality. 9-16 Some studies concern infertile couples, while others analyse normal sperm parameters. Thus, a worldwide decreasing trend in semen parameter values can be neither confirmed nor rejected. 17 It was recently reported that fecundity is affected by this decrease. 18,19 It was speculated that decreasing sperm parameters are in response to adverse environmental factors. Nevertheless, the observed discrepancies between studies suggest regional differences in semen quality. [20][21][22] Variations in environmental factors, industrial pollution and/or lifestyle could explain these discrepancies. A large number of environmental factors can pollute air, drinking water and food. This can directly alter the male gonad by blood-testis barrier disruption and cellular toxicity, or disrupt androgen biosynthesis and action. Among these environmental factors, oestrogenic or anti-androgenic endocrine disrupting compounds inhibit critical cellular process controlling steroidogenesis in Leydig cells and androgen binding to the androgen receptor. 23 It has been hypothesized that endocrine disrupting compounds play a major role in the aetiology of increased incidence of testicular dysgenesis syndrome which gathers decreased quality of semen, cryptorchidism, hypospadias and testicular cancer. 24 Chemicals with hormone-like activity can also

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decline of semen quality among 10 932 males consulting for couple infertility over a 20-year period in Marseille, France

Geoffroy-Siraudin¹,

Loundou²,

Romain³

et al. 2012

Asian J Androl

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…This challenges the assertions of previously published reports indicating a decline in sperm counts over a similar period of time. [1][2][3][4][5] …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[1][2][3][4][5] We have recently published data showing no decline in sperm counts in men who banked sperm prior to vasectomy from 1970 to 1994 from three United States sperm banks at different geographic locations. 6 Since MacLeod and Gold 7 is still cited most prominently in defining a ''normal'' sperm count, we compared our sperm count data from 374 men with proven fertility who banked sperm prior to vasectomy in Minnesota from 1971 to 1994 to MacLeod and Gold's data from 1951 to look at whether sperm count distributions have changed over the last 40 years.…”

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[1][2][3][4][5] In 1992 Carlsen et al 1 in a meta-analysis of 61 studies published from 1938 to 1991 suggested a worldwide decline in semen quality over the last 50 years. Auger et al 3 in 1995 reported a 30% decrease in sperm concentration over a 20-year period among fertile sperm donors from a single sperm bank in Paris, France. Irvine et al 4 evaluated sperm counts from Scottish men between 1984 and 1995 and reported decreased values.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When the data from the metaanalysis were reanalyzed by Olsen et al, 5 an increase in sperm counts was noted from 1970 to 1990. The studies by Auger et al 3 and Irvine et al 4 are widely criticized due to significant selection bias in that only fertile sperm donors were included for study and therefore excluded important data from fertile men who attempted to become sperm donors but were rejected.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Macleod Revisited: Sperm Count Distributions in 374 Fertile Men From 1971 to 1994

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Why Is HIV Rarely Transmitted by Oral Secretions?

Baron¹,

Poast²,

Cloyd

1999

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Hypotonic disruption may be a major mechanism by which saliva kills infected mononuclear leukocytes and prevents their attachment to mucosal epithelial cells and production of infectious HIV, thereby preventing transmission. Implications for the known oral HIV transmission by milk and seminal fluid, as well as potential oral transmission to contacts and health care workers, are considered. This effective salivary defense may be applicable medically to interdict vaginal, rectal, and oral transmission of HIV by infected cells in seminal fluid or milk by the use of anticellular substances.

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Decline in Semen Quality among Fertile Men in Paris during the Past 20 Years

Abstract: During the past 20 years, there has been a decline in the concentration and motility of sperm and in the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa in fertile men that is independent of the age of the men.

Cited by 987 publications

References 21 publications

Decline of semen quality among 10 932 males consulting for couple infertility over a 20-year period in Marseille, France

Decline of semen quality among 10 932 males consulting for couple infertility over a 20-year period in Marseille, France

Macleod Revisited: Sperm Count Distributions in 374 Fertile Men From 1971 to 1994

Why Is HIV Rarely Transmitted by Oral Secretions?

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