RESEARCH PAPER
The role of age, environmental and occupational factors on semen density
 
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1
Chair and Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Endocrinology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
 
2
Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics-Gynaecological Nursing, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
 
3
PhD student, Chair and Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Endocrinology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
 
4
I Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland
 
 
Corresponding author
Grzegorz Jakiel   

I Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland
 
 
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2011;18(2):437-440
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The problem of effect of the environment on human reproduction has been in the focus of researchers’ interest for many years.

Objective:
To examine the relationship between semen density in males with reproduction problems, and their age, living and working conditions.

Material and Methods:
The study covered 224 males with reproduction problems. The study had a prospective character and was conducted in three stages – the first stage was carried out using the questionnaire devised by the authors; the second and the third stages consisted in the examination and evaluation of male semen density. Statistical analysis was used to search for the relationship between these groups and variables adopted in the study, i.e. age, occupation performed, place of residence, self-reported housing conditions and material standard, reporting by the males in the study of arduousness of work or health hazards perceived by the males examined, and duration of employment in such conditions.

Results:
The males in the study were divided into three groups according to their semen density. Group I (20 × 106 mln/ml or more) included 62 (27.7%) respondents, Group II (below 20 × 106 mln/ml) covered 121 males (54.0%), while Group III (only single spermatozoa or none) – 41 males (18.3%). Male semen density are significantly correlated with men’s ages and jobs as well as the general evaluations of the jobs held by the men (p<0.05). No significant relationship is observed between living conditions, arduous work conditions and occupational hazards as perceived by males, or duration of employment in such conditions, and male semen density (p>0.05).

Conclusions:
The results obtained encourage continuation of the studies and cover a larger group of males with reproduction problems.

 
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