Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF ) Freely available
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (110)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Jørgensen, N.
Right arrow Articles by Skakkebæk, N. E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Jørgensen, N.
Right arrow Articles by Skakkebæk, N. E.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Human Reproduction, Vol. 16, No. 5, 1012-1019, May 2001
© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Regional differences in semen quality in Europe

Niels Jørgensen1,7, Anne-Grethe Andersen1, Florence Eustache2, D. Stewart Irvine3, Jyrki Suominen4, Jørgen Holm Petersen1,5, Anders Nyboe Andersen6, Jacques Auger2, Elizabeth H.H. Cawood3, Antero Horte4, Tina Kold Jensen1, Pierre Jouannet2, Niels Keiding5, Matti Vierula4, Jorma Toppari4 and Niels E. Skakkebæk1

1 Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, The Juliane Marie Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2 Université Paris V, Groupe Hospitalier Cochin, Paris, France, 3 MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Edinburgh, UK, 4 University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine, Turku, Finland, 5 Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, and 6 The Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

Recent reports have indicated a decrease in semen quality of men in some countries, and suggested regional differences. A study was undertaken of semen samples from 1082 fertile men from four European cities (Copenhagen, Denmark; Paris, France; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Turku, Finland). Semen analysis was standardized, inter-laboratory differences in assessment of sperm concentration were evaluated, and morphology assessment centralized. Lowest sperm concentrations and total counts were detected for Danish men, followed by French and Scottish men. Finnish men had the highest sperm counts. Men from Edinburgh had the highest proportion of motile spermatozoa, followed by men from Turku, Copenhagen and Paris. Only the differences between Paris/Edinburgh and Paris/Turku were statistically significant (P < 0.003 and P < 0.002 respectively). No significant differences in morphology were detected. A general seasonal variation in sperm concentration (summer 70% of winter) and total sperm count (summer 72% of winter) was detected. Semen quality of a `standardized' man (30 years old, fertile, ejaculation abstinence of 96 h) were estimated. Typically, sperm concentrations (x106/ml) for winter/summer were: Turku 132/93; Edinburgh 119/84; Paris 103/73; and Copenhagen 98/69. These differences in semen quality may indicate different environmental exposures or lifestyle changes in the four populations. However, it remains to be seen whether such changes can account for these differences. These data may also serve as a reference point for future studies on time trends in semen quality in Europe.

Key words: fertile men/reference group/regional differences/semen quality

7 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, The Juliane Marie Centre, section GR-5064, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. E-mail: njcph{at}rh.dk


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Hum Reprod UpdateHome page
T. G. Cooper, E. Noonan, S. von Eckardstein, J. Auger, H.W. G. Baker, H. M. Behre, T. B. Haugen, T. Kruger, C. Wang, M. T. Mbizvo, et al.
World Health Organization reference values for human semen characteristics
Hum. Reprod. Update, November 24, 2009; (2009) dmp048v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
R.P. Amann
Evaluating testis function non-invasively: how epidemiologist-andrologist teams might better approach this task
Hum. Reprod., November 3, 2009; (2009) dep383v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
R. P. Amann
Considerations in Evaluating Human Spermatogenesis on the Basis of Total Sperm per Ejaculate
J Androl, November 1, 2009; 30(6): 626 - 641.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
R. P. Amann and P. L. Chapman
Total Sperm per Ejaculate of Men: Obtaining a Meaningful Value or a Mean Value With Appropriate Precision
J Androl, November 1, 2009; 30(6): 642 - 649.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
T.M. Stewart, D.Y. Liu, C. Garrett, E.H. Brown, and H.W.G. Baker
Recruitment bias in studies of semen and other factors affecting pregnancy rates in fertile men
Hum. Reprod., October 1, 2009; 24(10): 2401 - 2408.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
O. Akre and L. Richiardi
Does a testicular dysgenesis syndrome exist?
Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2009; 24(9): 2053 - 2060.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Int J EpidemiolHome page
E. M Mikkelsen, E. E Hatch, L. A Wise, K. J Rothman, A. Riis, and H. T. Sorensen
Cohort Profile: The Danish Web-based Pregnancy Planning Study--'Snart-Gravid'
Int. J. Epidemiol., August 1, 2009; 38(4): 938 - 943.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
T.M. Stewart, D.Y. Liu, C. Garrett, N. Jorgensen, E.H. Brown, and H.W.G. Baker
Associations between andrological measures, hormones and semen quality in fertile Australian men: inverse relationship between obesity and sperm output
Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2009; 24(7): 1561 - 1568.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
Y. Li, H. Lin, M. Ma, L. Li, M. Cai, N. Zhou, X. Han, H. Bao, L. Huang, C. Zhu, et al.
Semen quality of 1346 healthy men, results from the Chongqing area of southwest China
Hum. Reprod., February 1, 2009; 24(2): 459 - 469.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
E.A. Nohr, M. Vaeth, S. Rasmussen, C.H. Ramlau-Hansen, and J. Olsen
Waiting time to pregnancy according to maternal birthweight and prepregnancy BMI
Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2009; 24(1): 226 - 232.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
C. Mau Kai, A. Juul, K. McElreavey, A.M. Ottesen, I.D. Garn, K.M. Main, A. Loft, N. Jorgensen, N.E. Skakkebaek, A. N. Andersen, et al.
Sons conceived by assisted reproduction techniques inherit deletions in the azoospermia factor (AZF) region of the Y chromosome and the DAZ gene copy number
Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2008; 23(7): 1669 - 1678.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 BMJHome page
J. P. E. Bonde and J. Olsen
Interpreting trends in fecundity over time
BMJ, February 16, 2008; 336(7640): 339 - 340.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
W. Dhooge, N. Van Larebeke, F. Comhaire, and J.-M. Kaufman
Reproductive Parameters of Community-Dwelling Men From 2 Regions in Flanders Are Associated With the Consumption of Self-Grown Vegetables
J Androl, November 1, 2007; 28(6): 836 - 846.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
C. Asklund, N. Jorgensen, N.E. Skakkebaek, and T.K. Jensen
Increased frequency of reproductive health problems among fathers of boys with hypospadias
Hum. Reprod., October 1, 2007; 22(10): 2639 - 2646.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 BMJHome page
A. H Balen and A. J Rutherford
Management of infertility
BMJ, September 22, 2007; 335(7620): 608 - 611.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
A. Stokes-Riner, S. W. Thurston, C. Brazil, D. Guzick, F. Liu, J. W. Overstreet, C. Wang, A. Sparks, J. B. Redmon, and S. H. Swan
One Semen Sample or 2? Insights From a Study of Fertile Men
J Androl, September 1, 2007; 28(5): 638 - 643.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
R.P. Amann and G.E. Seidel Jr
Testis development, beef consumption and study methods
Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2007; 22(9): 2572 - 2573.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Occup. Environ. Med.Home page
N. Olea and M. F Fernandez
Chemicals in the environment and human male fertility
Occup. Environ. Med., July 1, 2007; 64(7): 430 - 431.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ReproductionHome page
S. E M Lewis
Is sperm evaluation useful in predicting human fertility?
Reproduction, July 1, 2007; 134(1): 31 - 40.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
W. Dhooge, N. Van Larebeke, F. Comhaire, and J.-M. Kaufman
Regional Variations in Semen Quality of Community-Dwelling Young Men From Flanders Are Not Paralleled by Hormonal Indices of Testicular Function
J Androl, May 1, 2007; 28(3): 435 - 443.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
C. Asklund, T.K. Jensen, N. Jorgensen, A. Tabor, L. Sperling, and N.E. Skakkebaek
Twin pregnancy possibly associated with high semen quality
Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2007; 22(3): 751 - 755.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
J. Gao, E.S. Gao, Q. Yang, M. Walker, J.Q. Wu, W.J. Zhou, and S.W. Wen
Semen quality in a residential, geographic and age representative sample of healthy Chinese men
Hum. Reprod., February 1, 2007; 22(2): 477 - 484.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
T. G. Cooper, C. Brazil, S. H. Swan, and J. W. Overstreet
Ejaculate Volume Is Seriously Underestimated When Semen Is Pipetted or Decanted Into Cylinders From the Collection Vessel
J Androl, January 1, 2007; 28(1): 1 - 4.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
A. Qoubaitary, C. Meriggiola, C. M. Ng, L. Lumbreras, S. Cerpolini, G. Pelusi, P. D. Christensen, L. Hull, R. S. Swerdloff, and C. Wang
Pharmacokinetics of Testosterone Undecanoate Injected Alone or in Combination With Norethisterone Enanthate in Healthy Men
J Androl, November 1, 2006; 27(6): 853 - 867.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
R. M. Sharpe
Perinatal Determinants of Adult Testis Size and Function.
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2006; 91(7): 2503 - 2505.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
K. M. Main, J. Toppari, A.-M. Suomi, M. Kaleva, M. Chellakooty, I. M. Schmidt, H. E. Virtanen, K. A. Boisen, C. M. Kai, I. N. Damgaard, et al.
Larger Testes and Higher Inhibin B Levels in Finnish than in Danish Newborn Boys
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2006; 91(7): 2732 - 2737.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum Reprod UpdateHome page
E. Rajpert-De Meyts
Developmental model for the pathogenesis of testicular carcinoma in situ: genetic and environmental aspects
Hum. Reprod. Update, May 1, 2006; 12(3): 303 - 323.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
T. Iwamoto, S. Nozawa, M. Yoshiike, T. Hoshino, K. Baba, T. Matsushita, S.N. Tanaka, M. Naka, N.E. Skakkebaek, and N. Jorgensen
Semen quality of 324 fertile Japanese men
Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2006; 21(3): 760 - 765.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
T. B. Haugen, T. Egeland, and O. Magnus
Semen Parameters in Norwegian Fertile Men
J Androl, January 1, 2006; 27(1): 66 - 71.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
E. Carlsen, S. H. Swan, J. H. Petersen, and N. E. Skakkebaek
Longitudinal changes in semen parameters in young Danish men from the Copenhagen area
Hum. Reprod., April 1, 2005; 20(4): 942 - 949.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
E. V. Magnusdottir, T. Thorsteinsson, S. Thorsteinsdottir, M. Heimisdottir, and K. Olafsdottir
Persistent organochlorines, sedentary occupation, obesity and human male subfertility
Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2005; 20(1): 208 - 215.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
F. Eustache, J. Auger, D. Cabrol, and P. Jouannet
Are volunteers delivering semen samples in fertility studies a biased population?
Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2004; 19(12): 2831 - 2837.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
A. Muller, E. De La Rochebrochard, C. Labbe-Decleves, P. Jouannet, L. Bujan, R. Mieusset, D. Le Lannou, J.F. Guerin, M. Benchaib, R. Slama, et al.
Selection bias in semen studies due to self-selection of volunteers
Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2004; 19(12): 2838 - 2844.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
G. Malm, T. B. Haugen, T. Henrichsen, C. Bjorsvik, T. Grotmol, T. Saether, J. Malm, Y. Figenschau, L. Hagmar, L. Rylander, et al.
Reproductive Function during Summer and Winter in Norwegian Men Living North and South of the Arctic Circle
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2004; 89(9): 4397 - 4402.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
A.-M. Andersson, N. Jorgensen, L. Frydelund-Larsen, E. Rajpert-De Meyts, and N. E. Skakkebaek
Impaired Leydig Cell Function in Infertile Men: A Study of 357 Idiopathic Infertile Men and 318 Proven Fertile Controls
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2004; 89(7): 3161 - 3167.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
C. Brazil, S. H. Swan, E. Z. Drobnis, F. Liu, C. Wang, J. B. Redmon, and J. W. Overstreet
Standardized Methods for Semen Evaluation in a Multicenter Research Study
J Androl, July 1, 2004; 25(4): 635 - 644.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
C. Brazil, S. H. Swan, C. R. Tollner, C. Treece, E. Z. Drobnis, C. Wang, J. B. Redmon, and J. W. Overstreet
Quality Control of Laboratory Methods for Semen Evaluation in a Multicenter Research Study
J Androl, July 1, 2004; 25(4): 645 - 656.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
A.-M. Andersson, J. H. Petersen, N. Jorgensen, T. K. Jensen, and N. E. Skakkebaek
Serum Inhibin B and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Levels as Tools in the Evaluation of Infertile Men: Significance of Adequate Reference Values from Proven Fertile Men
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2004; 89(6): 2873 - 2879.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
P. Sutovsky, R. Hauser, and M. Sutovsky
Increased levels of sperm ubiquitin correlate with semen quality in men from an andrology laboratory clinic population
Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2004; 19(3): 628 - 638.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ReproductionHome page
J. S Fisher
Environmental anti-androgens and male reproductive health: focus on phthalates and testicular dysgenesis syndrome
Reproduction, March 1, 2004; 127(3): 305 - 315.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
M. Jensen, H. Leffers, J. H. Petersen, A. Nyboe Andersen, N. Jorgensen, E. Carlsen, T. K. Jensen, N. E. Skakkebaek, and E. Rajpert-De Meyts
Frequent polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma gene (POLG) in patients with normal spermiograms and unexplained subfertility
Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2004; 19(1): 65 - 70.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Mol Hum ReprodHome page
L. Frydelund-Larsen, P. H. Vogt, H. Leffers, A. Schadwinkel, G. Daugaard, N. E. Skakkebaek, and E. Rajpert-De Meyts
No AZF deletion in 160 patients with testicular germ cell neoplasia
Mol. Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2003; 9(9): 517 - 521.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
L. Frydelund-Larsen, C. Krausz, H. Leffers, A. M. Andersson, E. Carlsen, S. Bangsboell, K. Mcelreavey, N. E. Skakkebaek, and E. Rajpert-De Meyts
Inhibin B: A Marker for the Functional State of the Seminiferous Epithelium in Patients with Azoospermia Factor c Microdeletions
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2002; 87(12): 5618 - 5624.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
J. Richthoff, L. Rylander, L. Hagmar, J. Malm, and A. Giwercman
Higher sperm counts in Southern Sweden compared with Denmark
Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2002; 17(9): 2468 - 2473.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
N. Jorgensen, E. Carlsen, I. Nermoen, M. Punab, J. Suominen, A.-G. Andersen, A.-M. Andersson, T. B. Haugen, A. Horte, T. K. Jensen, et al.
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
Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2002; 17(8): 2199 - 2208.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am J EpidemiolHome page
B. A Cohn, J. W. Overstreet, R. J. Fogel, C. K. Brazil, D. D. Baird, and P. M. Cirillo
Epidemiologic Studies of Human Semen Quality: Considerations for Study Design
Am. J. Epidemiol., April 1, 2002; 155(7): 664 - 671.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
R. Slama, F. Eustache, B. Ducot, T.K. Jensen, N. Jorgensen, A. Horte, S. Irvine, J. Suominen, A.G. Andersen, J. Auger, et al.
Time to pregnancy and semen parameters: a cross-sectional study among fertile couples from four European cities
Hum. Reprod., February 1, 2002; 17(2): 503 - 515.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
T.K. Jensen, R. Slama, B. Ducot, J. Suominen, E.H.H. Cawood, A.G. Andersen, F. Eustache, S. Irvine, S. Auger, P. Jouannet, et al.
Regional differences in waiting time to pregnancy among fertile couples from four European cities
Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2001; 16(12): 2697 - 2704.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
J. Auger, F. Eustache, A.G. Andersen, D.S. Irvine, N. Jorgensen, N.E. Skakkebak, J. Suominen, J. Toppari, M. Vierula, and P. Jouannet
Sperm morphological defects related to environment, lifestyle and medical history of 1001 male partners of pregnant women from four European cities
Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2001; 16(12): 2710 - 2717.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.