Artificial Intelligent Systems and Machine Learning

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Occupational Hazard as a Risk Factor for Azoospermia among Infertile Men .


Affiliations
1 Molecular Reproduction and Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Studies in Zoology, University of Mysore, Mysore - 560006, Karnataka, India ., India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Objectives: Exposure to environmental contaminants is a major risk factor for overall human health, including fertility. There has been increasing evidence of association of male infertility with occupational hazards such as heat, chemicals, and radiation. This study aimed to evaluate if certain job engagements and the environment have an impact on seminal characteristics of infertile men. Methods: 327 infertile men engaged in different occupations were divided into two groups: Group 1, who had a high likelihood of being exposed to occupational hazards; and Group 2, whose occupations had less or no hazardous working environment. Semen analysis was performed and the accessory gland function was also evaluated. Results: The farmers outnumbered those from other occupations (102/327). We observed a significantly higher incidence of azoospermia cases (16/39) among factory workers and a two-fold higher odds ratio in Group 1 (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.184, 0.41) compared to Group 2 (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.083, 0.239). Differences in semen parameters such as semen volume, pH, total sperm count, and sperm of normal morphology between the two groups were found to be statistically significant. Construction workers recorded the lowest semen volume and the highest seminal pH, while police personnel and factory workers had the least total sperm count and sperm with normal morphology. Conclusions: This study indicates an association of certain occupations with male infertility. Therefore, it is recommended to take precautionary measures to minimize exposure to workplace-related environmental hazards.

Keywords

Azoospermia, Male Infertility, Occupational Hazards, Semen Parameter, Total Fertility Rate
User
Subscription Login to verify subscription
Notifications
Font Size

  • Espir ML, Hall JW, Shirreffs JG, Stevens DL. For Debate: Impotence in Farm Workers using Toxic Chemicals. Br Med J. 1970; 1(5693):423-5. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.1.5693.423 PMid:5434665 PMCid:PMC1699233

  • Peck AW. Impotence in farm workers. Br Med J. 1970; 1(5697):690. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.1.5697.690-a PMid:5443976 PMCid:PMC1700586

  • Lancranjan I, Popescu HI, Găvănescu O, Klepsch I, Serbănescu M. Reproductive ability of workmen occupationally exposed to lead. Arch Environ Health: An Int J. 1975; 30(8):396-401. https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1975.10666733 PMid:1155972

  • Whorton D, Krauss R, Marshall S, Milby T. Infertility in male pesticide workers. The Lancet. 1977; 310(8051):1259-61. https://doi. org/10.1016/S0140-6736(77)92665-4

  • Swan SH, Elkin EP, Fenster L. The question of declining sperm density revisited: an analysis of 101 studies published 1934-1996. Environ Health Pers. 2000; 108(10):961-6. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.00108961 PMid:11049816 PMCid:PMC1240129

  • Rutstein SO, Shah IO. Infecundity, Infertility, and Childlessness in Developing Countries. DHS Comparative Report No. 9. Calverton, Maryland, USA: ORC Macro and the World Health Organization; 2004.

  • Povey AC, Stocks SJ. Epidemiology and trends in male subfertility. Hum Fertil (Camb). 2010; 13(4):182-

  • https://doi.org/10.310 9/14647273.2010.515700 PMid:21117926 8. Ashiru OA, Odusanya OO. Fertility and occupational hazards: review of the literature. Afr J Reprod Health. 2009; 13(1):159-65.

  • Bian Q, Xu LC, Wang SL, et al. Study on the relation between occupational fenvalerate exposure and spermatozoa DNA damage of pesticide factory workers. Occup Environ Med. 2004; 61(12):999-1005. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2004.014597 PMid:15550606 PMCid:PMC1740696

  • Queiroz EK, Waissmann W. Occupational exposure and effects on the male reproductive system. Cadernos de Saúde Pública. 2006; 22(3):485-93. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2006000300003 PMid:16583092

  • Zhang M, Zheng YD, Xie-Yi DU, et al. Silicosis in automobile foundry workers: a 29-year cohort study. Biomed Environ Sci. 2010; 23(2):121-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0895-3988(10)60041-4

  • IARC. Occupational exposures in the rubber manufacturing industry. In: Chemical Agents and Related Occupations. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2012.

  • Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 4th edition, ILO, Geneva: 1998; 3: 102.26-102.32.

  • Al-Quzwini OF, Al-Taee HA, Al-Shaikh SF. Male fertility and its association with occupational and mobile phone towers hazards: an analytic study. Middle East Fertil Soc J. 2016; 21(4):236-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mefs.2016.03.002

  • Mieusset R, Bujan L, Plantavid M, et al. Scrotal hyperthermia: frequency in an infertile population and associated alterations in testicular function. In: Temperature and Environmental Effects on the Testis. Springer, Boston, MA; 1991. p. 203-09 https://doi. org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5913-5_21 PMid:1904186

  • El-Helaly M, Awadalla N, Mansour M, El-Biomy Y. Workplace exposures and male infertility-a case-control study. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2010; 23(4):331-8. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10001-010-0039-y PMid:21306978

  • Wang HX, Li HC, Lv MQ, et al. Associations between occupation exposure to formaldehyde and semen quality, a primary study. Sci Rep. 2015; 5(1):1-10. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep15874 PMid:26515386 PMCid:PMC4626826

  • Lafuente R, García-Blàquez N, Jacquemin B, Checa MA. Outdoor air pollution and sperm quality. Fertil Steril. 2016; 106(4):88096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.08.022 PMid:27565259 .


Abstract Views: 211

PDF Views: 0




  • Occupational Hazard as a Risk Factor for Azoospermia among Infertile Men .

Abstract Views: 211  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Puja Devi Nongthombam
Molecular Reproduction and Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Studies in Zoology, University of Mysore, Mysore - 560006, Karnataka, India ., India
Suttur S. Malini
Molecular Reproduction and Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Studies in Zoology, University of Mysore, Mysore - 560006, Karnataka, India ., India

Abstract


Objectives: Exposure to environmental contaminants is a major risk factor for overall human health, including fertility. There has been increasing evidence of association of male infertility with occupational hazards such as heat, chemicals, and radiation. This study aimed to evaluate if certain job engagements and the environment have an impact on seminal characteristics of infertile men. Methods: 327 infertile men engaged in different occupations were divided into two groups: Group 1, who had a high likelihood of being exposed to occupational hazards; and Group 2, whose occupations had less or no hazardous working environment. Semen analysis was performed and the accessory gland function was also evaluated. Results: The farmers outnumbered those from other occupations (102/327). We observed a significantly higher incidence of azoospermia cases (16/39) among factory workers and a two-fold higher odds ratio in Group 1 (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.184, 0.41) compared to Group 2 (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.083, 0.239). Differences in semen parameters such as semen volume, pH, total sperm count, and sperm of normal morphology between the two groups were found to be statistically significant. Construction workers recorded the lowest semen volume and the highest seminal pH, while police personnel and factory workers had the least total sperm count and sperm with normal morphology. Conclusions: This study indicates an association of certain occupations with male infertility. Therefore, it is recommended to take precautionary measures to minimize exposure to workplace-related environmental hazards.

Keywords


Azoospermia, Male Infertility, Occupational Hazards, Semen Parameter, Total Fertility Rate

References