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

Abstract

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

Male Infertility; Evidences, Risk Factors, Causes, Diagnosis and Management in Human

“…Furthermore, a study at the Reproduction Biology Laboratory of the University Hospital of Marseille (France) between 1988 and 2007, which included semen analysis of 10,932 male partners of infertile couples concluded that the whole population demonstrated the declining trends in sperm concentration (1.5%/year), total sperm count (1.6%/year), total motility (0.4%/year), rapid motility (5.5%/year), and normal morphology (2.2%/year). Also, in the group of selected samples with total normal sperm count, the same trends of sperm quality deterioration with time were observed [30]. The studies conducted in Indian perspective also showed a qualitative and quantitative defect in the sperm production and declination in sperm count approximately, 30% to 40% men in reproductive age group [31].…”

The Disappearing Sperms: Analysis of Reports Published Between 1980 and 2015

“…Most of the studies used sample sizes less than 500 subjects (68.12%) and ≥1,000 (21.01%), while a few studies used sample sizes between 500 and 1,000 subjects (10.87%). Five reports used an extraordinarily large sample size (>10,000; Andolz et al, 1999;Belloc et al, 2014;Eisenberg et al, 2014;Geoffroy-Siraudin et al, 2012;Rolland et al, 2013). Out of 138 reports, 80.43% provided data about the age of subjects.…”

Resolving the Enigma of Effect of Mobile Phone Usage on Spermatogenesis in Humans in South Indian Population

“…In recent years, there is drastic reduction of semen parameters such as the sperm count, motility, and morphology have been noted worldwide [10][11][12]. Researchers are undisputed about the negative impact of certain environmental factors such as smoking and alcohol abuse, exposure to xenobiotics, sedentary lifestyle, intake of high-calorie food, and increased local testicular temperature on spermatogenesis [10][11][12]25].…”

“…Male infertility is upcoming problem of the modern world rising in alarming rate globally [9]. In general, the quality of sperm in recent years has worsened throughout the world [10][11][12]. One of the biggest fears is that this RF-EMW may disturb testicular function and alter conventional and/or nonconventional sperm parameters [1].…”