East-West gradient in semen quality in the Nordic-Baltic area: a study of men from the general population in Denmark, Norway, Estonia and Finland

Jørgensen, Niels; Carlsen, Elisabeth; Nermoen, Ingrid; Punab, Margus; Suominen, J.; Andersen, A. Nyboe; Andersson, Anna‐Maria; Haugen, Trine B.; Horte, Antero; Jensen, Tina Kold; Magnus, O; Petersen, Jørgen Holm; Vierula, Matti; Toppari, Jorma; Skakkebæk, Niels E.

doi:10.1093/humrep/17.8.2199

Cited by 281 publications

(294 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The participants were recruited by advertising in the local media, and thus they might not be representative of the general population. However, the prevalence of infertility problems among the participants [13] was similar to what has been reported for Western countries [17], and the sperm count levels were similar to those for the general Norwegian population [18]. Furthermore, each individual served as his own control.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Single semen analysis as a predictor of semen quality: clinical and epidemiological implications

Rylander¹,

Wetterstrand²,

Haugen³

et al. 2009

Asian J Androl

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It is generally thought that a single ejaculate is a bad predictor of semen quality of a subject, because of significant intra-individual variation. Therefore, we investigated the degree to which the results of a first semen analysis differ from that of a second analysis among men from a general population in Norway. In addition, we analysed how the two different semen results mirrored the overall semen quality assessment. A total of 199 volunteers participated in the study and delivered two semen samples with an interval of 6 months. The semen parameters were determined according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 1999 guidelines, which were also used to determine whether semen quality was normal or abnormal. In addition, the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was determined using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay. The two samples from each individual were very similar with regard to standard semen parameters and DFI (r s : 0.67-0.72), and there were no significant systematic differences between the two samples. The result of the first sample (normal/abnormal) was highly predictive of the overall conclusion based on the two samples (sperm concentration: in 93% of the cases (95% confidence interval [CI]: 89%-96%); sperm motility: in 85% of the cases (95% CI: 79%-89%); overall semen quality: in 85% of the cases (95% CI: 80%-90%). In epidemiological studies, one ejaculate is a sufficient indicator of semen quality in a group of subjects. In a clinical situation, when the question is whether the semen quality is normal or not, the first ejaculate will, in at least 85% of cases, give a correct overall conclusion.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Single semen analysis as a predictor of semen quality: clinical and epidemiological implications

Rylander¹,

Wetterstrand²,

Haugen³

et al. 2009

Asian J Androl

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“…Semen samples were obtained by masturbation and preserved at 371C until liquefaction had occurred. After aliquots were taken out for routine clinical assessments of semen quality parameters, the remaining sample was immediately centrifuged for 30 min at 2000g (Jorgensen et al, 2002) and the supernatant consisting of cell-free seminal plasma were used for chemical analyses. For the analyses of parabens aliquots of urine, serum and seminal plasma were transferred into 4 ml glass screw-cap vials.…”

Section: Sample Collection and Storagementioning

confidence: 99%

Parabens in urine, serum and seminal plasma from healthy Danish men determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS)

Frederiksen

Jørgensen

Andersson

2010

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

226

112

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Parabens are used as anti-microbial preservatives in a range of consumer products, especially in cosmetics. In vitro and animal studies have shown weak estrogenic and other endocrine disrupting effects of parabens, including reduced testosterone levels in exposed male rats. The knowledge of paraben exposure, distribution and excretion in humans is limited. In this study we determined the concentration of five parabens; methyl-, ethyl-, n-propyl-, n-butyl-and benzylparaben in urine, serum and seminal plasma samples from 60 healthy Danish men. To conduct the study a sensitive and specific method using LC-MS/MS for simultaneous determination of the five parabens was developed for all three different matrices. Highest concentrations of the parabens were found in urine, wherein methyl-, ethyl-, n-propyl-and n-butyl parabens were measurable in 98%, 80%, 98% and 83% of the men, respectively. Benzyl paraben was only measurable in urine from 7% of the men. Methyl-and n-propyl parabens were also measurable in the majority of serum and seminal plasma samples, whereas the other parabens could only be detected in some of the samples. In all the three matrices significant correlations between the parabens were seen. Furthermore, urinary paraben concentrations correlate to the paraben concentrations in both serum and seminal plasma.

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“…incidence of cryptorchidism, hypospadias and testicular cancer and semen quality) (8,9,10,11,12); we questioned whether population-level changes in testosterone levels would also be apparent in Finnish men and therefore not specific to men from Denmark and New England.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A cohort effect on serum testosterone levels in Finnish men

Perheentupa

Mäkinen²,

Laatikainen

et al. 2013

European Journal of Endocrinology

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Objective: To investigate whether a population-level decline in serum testosterone exists in Finnish men. In comparison with other European populations, Finnish men have compared well in the studies of reproductive health (i.e. semen quality, incidence of cryptorchidism and testicular cancer); thus, we expected no significant cohort-dependent decrease in serum testosterone. Methods: We analysed serum levels of testosterone, gonadotrophin and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in 3271 men representing different ages (25-74 years) and birth cohorts within three large Finnish population surveys conducted in 1972, 1977 and 2002. Results: Serum testosterone levels decreased (from 25.3 nmol/l in 25-to 29-year-old men gradually to 16.9 nmol/l in 70-to 74-year-old men), whereas SHBG and gonadotrophin levels increased with increasing age. In addition, a significant secular trend in testosterone (total and free), SHBG and gonadotrophin levels was observed with lower levels in more recently born age-matched men. Serum testosterone level decreased in men aged 60-69 years from 21.9 nmol/l (men born 1913-1922) to 13.8 nmol/l (men born 1942-1951). These decreases remained significant following adjustment for BMI. An age-independent birth cohort effect existed on reproductive hormones measured in the Finnish men. In concert with the lower free testosterone levels, we observed lower gonadotrophin levels, suggesting that while there may be detrimental changes at the gonad level, the hypothalamuspituitary-axis is not responding appropriately to this change. Conclusions: The more recently born Finnish men have lower testosterone levels than their earlier born peers. This study offers no explanation for this substantial recent adverse development.

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East-West gradient in semen quality in the Nordic-Baltic area: a study of men from the general population in Denmark, Norway, Estonia and Finland

Cited by 281 publications

References 26 publications

Single semen analysis as a predictor of semen quality: clinical and epidemiological implications

Single semen analysis as a predictor of semen quality: clinical and epidemiological implications

Parabens in urine, serum and seminal plasma from healthy Danish men determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS)

A cohort effect on serum testosterone levels in Finnish men

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