Di-san junyi daxue xuebao (Jan 2021)
Association of exposure to environmental gaseous pollutants in Chongqing with semen quality and sex hormone levels in Chongqing young men
Abstract
Objective To investigate the effects of atmospheric gaseous pollutants SO2, NO2, CO and O3 on the reproductive endocrine system of male college students. Methods Established cohort of the male reproductive health in Chongqing college students (MARHCS) study. A total of 796 subjects were recruited to complete the baseline survey in 2013, and then followed up in 2014 and 2015. Their semen parameters, sperm DNA damage, and serum sex hormone levels were detected. Air pollution data and meteorological data were also collected during the study period. The mixed effect model was used to analyze the associations of exposure to SO2, NO2, O3 and CO with semen routine parameters, sperm DNA damage indexes and sex hormone levels. Results There were no significant differences in sperm motility and serum progesterone level between the 3 investigations. But statistical differences were observed in semen volume, sperm density, total sperm count, sperm motility and normal sperm morphology, and high DNA stainability (HDS) between the 3 investigations (P < 0.05). So were in the serum levels of estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin and testosterone. The results of the mixed effect model showed that significant negative correlations were seen in SO2 concentration with serum prolactin and progesterone levels, in O3 concentration with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone to estradiol ratio (T/E2), in NO2 with sperm normal morphology rate, and in CO with FSH level. After Bonferroni multiple correction, the differences were still statistically significant (corrected P < 0.05). In addition, O3 concentration was positively correlated with sperm motility (β=4.88; 95%CI: 2.60~7.22; corrected P < 0.05) and normal sperm morphology rate (β=7.28; 95%CI: 3.44~11.27; corrected P < 0.05). So were the concentration of NO2 with serum FSH, LH and testosterone levels (corrected P < 0.05). Conclusion Exposure to gaseous pollutants SO2, NO2, O3 and CO might affect the semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in young men.
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