Occupational Exposures and Male Infertility, a Case-Control Study

Abstract

Abstract:Objectives: this study was carried out to examine the association between male infertility and certain occupational exposures. Methods: a case-control study was carried out from 2008 to 2009; on 255 infertile men and 267 fertile men controls. Occupational exposure to certain chemical, physical and psychological work-place hazards were assessed by self-report questionnaire. General and andrology medical examination were done for all participants, however semen analysis was done only for the infertile men cases, because the fertile men controls refused to give semen samples. Results: after adjustment of confounders, the results revealed that the following occupational exposure factors significantly increased the risk of male infertility: solvents and painting materials(OR: 3.88, 95% CI: 1.50-10.03), lead (OR: 5.43, 95% CI: 1.28-23.13), VDTs and computers (OR: 8.01, 95% CI: 4.03-15.87), shift work (OR: 3.60, 95% CI: 1.12-11.57) and workrelated stress (Fairly present: OR 3.11, 95% CI: 1.85-5.24; Often present: OR: 3.76, 95% CI: 1.96-7.52) Conclusion: although the limitations of this study, it supports other studies that ring the bell to minimize the exposure to the work-place hazards that may affect the fertility of men workers.