Exposure to environmental toxins in males seeking infertility treatment: a case-controlled study

Abstract

This case-control study explored the role of environmental toxins in male infertility in patients attending an assisted reproduction clinic in southeastern Spain. Exposures were compared by questionnaire for 30 infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic males (cases) and 31 normozoospermic controls residing in the area. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate differences in lifestyle and chemical occupational exposures. More than two-thirds of the cases (23/30), compared with less than one-third of controls (10/31), had been exposed occupationally to at least one toxin or pollutant (OR = 6.9; 95% CI: 2.2-21.4) and were also more exposed to them currently (OR = 5.2; 95% CI: 1.6-17.2). Exposure to glues, solvents or silicones (OR = 22.9; 95% CI: 2.8-190.9), metals (OR = 8.8; 95% CI: 1.4-54.2) and physical agents (OR = 7.3; 95% CI: 1.4-36.7) in the past, as well as current exposure to glues, solvents or silicones (OR = 10.4; 95% CI: 2.6-42.5) and physical agents (OR = 4.7; 95% CI: 1.1-19.2), were significantly higher in cases than in controls. Average duration of exposure was also significantly higher in cases (P < 0.001). This study suggests that male infertility in patients attending infertility clinics may often be the result of occupational exposure.

A low intake of antioxidant nutrients is associated with poor semen quality in patients attending fertility clinics

“…It was considered that the person had a previous occupational toxic exposure if he answered that he had been exposed to any of the chemicals that were listed. Detailed information of this study methodology may be found elsewhere (22).…”

Role of Life Style Factors with Respect to Semen Quality and ART

“…Association has been found between welder and reduced sperm count and motility [46,54] . In other case-controlled studies infertile men had been more frequently exposed to organic solvents [52,53,56] , electromagnetic fields and heavy metals than fertile men [46,53,55] . Several solvents affect human semen quality [17,51] , proportionally to the amount and time of exposure [52,53] .…”

“…In other case-controlled studies infertile men had been more frequently exposed to organic solvents [52,53,56] , electromagnetic fields and heavy metals than fertile men [46,53,55] . Several solvents affect human semen quality [17,51] , proportionally to the amount and time of exposure [52,53] . Semen quality in workers exposed occupationally to hydrocarbons like toluene, benzene and xylene lead to existence of anomalies in viscosity, liquefaction capacity, sperm count, sperm motility and proportion of sperm with normal morphology compared with unexposed males [57,58] .…”

Potential pathways of pesticide action on erectile function – A contributory factor in male infertility

“…The implication of toxins such as glues, volatile organic solvents, silicones, physical agents, chemical dusts and pesticides in infertility has already been established [17]. Radiations and excessive heat to the genitalia have damaging effect on the testicles.…”