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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on November 26, 2004
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh569
© 2004 by European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
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Received October 9, 2003
Revised August 20, 2004
Accepted September 24, 2004

Article

Persistent organochlorines, sedentary occupation, obesity and human male subfertility

Elin V. Magnusdottir 1*, Tanja Thorsteinsson 2, Sigridur Thorsteinsdottir 2, Maria Heimisdottir 3, and Kristin Olafsdottir 1

1 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Iceland, Hofsvallagata 53, IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland
2 Department of Assisted Reproduction, Landspitali University Hospital, Hringbraut, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland
3 Office of Finance and Information, Landspitali University Hospital, Hringbraut, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Elin V. Magnusdottir, E-mail: elinmag{at}hi.is


  Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that the quality of human semen has been declining over recent decades, presumably because of lifestyle or environmental factors. METHODS: Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides were analysed in the plasma of 25 men with poor semen quality, 20 men with normal semen quality and idiopathic subfertility and 27 men with normal semen quality and female factor subfertility. Samples of seminal fluid were also analysed to assess the relationship between the levels in blood and semen. RESULTS: The results indicate no difference in the levels of organochlorines between the groups. The levels of organochlorines in seminal fluid were proportional to the levels in plasma, but ~40 times lower. Men with poor semen quality were three times more likely to be obese than men with normal semen quality. There was also a significant negative correlation between semen quality parameters and body mass index among men with normal semen quality. The prevalence of sedentary work was lowest among men with the best semen quality. CONCLUSIONS: Poor semen quality was found to be associated with sedentary work and obesity but not with plasma levels of persistent organochlorines. More research is needed to assess whether sedentary lifestyle and obesity are causal factors in the decline of semen quality.

Keywords: male fertility; obesity; organochlorines; sedentary work; semen quality.
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