Male Factor Infertility, Semen Quality and Environmental Factors

1
Male Factor Infertility, Semen Quality and
Environmental Factors

• Arthur J. Greenwood, M.D.
• Samuel D. Prien, Ph.D.
• S. Chavez

2
Introduction

• The fertility rate in the United States has been
  decreasing and can not be solely explained by an
  increase use of contraceptives and delay in
  childbearing.1

• 1 Shakkebaek NE, Jorgensen N, Main KM et al. Is
  human fecundity declining? Int J Androl
  2006 29 2-11

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Human Fecundity Declining?

• 1 Shakkebaek NE, Jorgensen N, Main KM et al. Is
  human fecundity declining? Int J Androl
  2006 29 2-11

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Pesticide Use

• A number of studies have reported a causal link
  between pesticide use in rural areas and
  infertility.2

2 Clementi M, Tiboni GM, Causin R, Rocca CL et
al, Pesticides and Fertility An epidemiological
study in Northeast Italy and review of the
literature. Reproductive Toxicology 20082613-18
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Linear Regression analysis of municipalities by
total amount of pesticides (kg/ha) and fertility
rate
2 Clementi M, Tiboni GM, Causin R, Rocca CL et
al, Pesticides and Fertility An epidemiological
study in Northeast Italy and review of the
literature. Reproductive Toxicology 20082613-18
6
Objective

• To examine the regional demographics of males
  with semen analysis over the last three years to
  determine if living in a rural area, occupational
  exposure, obesity, or tobacco use is related to
  decreased semen quality.

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Materials and Methods

• A retrospective analysis of all semen analysis
  conducted by Texas Tech HSC over the past three
  years will be performed and sorted by zip code,
  occupation, body mass index, and tobacco use.

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Materials and Methods

• Data will be split and analysis by morphology,
  the parameter linked most to failed fertilization
  in assisted reproductive technology procedures
  (ARTs).

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Results

• Results are expected to determine if rural
  exposure to pesticide use in the farming areas of
  West Texas, or other occupational exposures, are
  a risk factor in couples with male factor
  infertility.

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Results

• Previous studies have shown decreased semen
  quality in rural areas of Missouri when compared
  to cities like New York, NY, Minneapolis, MN, and
  Los Angeles, CA.3

• 3 Swan SH, Brazil C, Drobins EZ et al. A Survey
  For Future Family Research Group. Geographic
  differences in semen quality of fertile U.S.
  males. Environ Health Perspect 2003111414-20

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Conclusion

• This study will compare semen quality of
  individuals living in residential areas to
  individuals living in agricultural areas.
• This study is unique in that it covers a
  population living in metropolitan as well as
  agricultural areas of West Texas with semen
  analysis at the same lab as opposed to different
  labs.