Journal article
Association between ambient temperature and semen quality: A longitudinal study of 10 802 men in China
Environment international, Vol.135, pp.105364-105364
02/2020
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105364
PMID: 31841801
Abstract
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•We found an inverted U-shaped association of ambient temperature with semen quality.•Both low and high ambient temperatures were inversely associated with semen quality.•An “optimal” ambient air temperature of 13 °C was suggested for semen quality.
Semen quality is a vital determinant for male fertility. The process of spermatogenesis is highly sensitive to fluctuations in temperature. However, the impact of ambient temperature on semen quality remains unclear. We aimed to quantitatively assess the association between ambient temperature and semen quality. Using data from Hubei provincial human sperm bank in Wuhan, China, we conducted a longitudinal study including 10 802 volunteers who lived in Wuhan and passed the initial physical examination for sperm donation between Mar 27, 2013 and April 9, 2018. Semen quality parameters including sperm concentration, total sperm number, total motility, progressive motility, total motile sperm count and progressively motile sperm count were determined in the sperm bank. We used linear mixed models to identify estimate changes of outcomes in relation to ambient temperature (i.e., air temperature and apparent temperature) exposure measured as the mean daily temperature during the 0–90 days before semen collection. Among 10 802 subjects who underwent 41 689 semen examinations, we observed inverted U-shaped exposure-response associations between air temperature exposure and all semen quality parameters, with an identical threshold exposure of 13 °C. For air temperature exposure <13 °C, each 5 °C lower temperature was significantly associated with 1.94 × 106/ml, 7.12 × 106, 0.77%, 0.81%, 6.48 × 106, and 5.87 × 106 decrease in sperm concentration, total sperm count, total motility, progressive motility, total motile sperm count and progressively motile sperm count, respectively. When air temperature exposure was ≥13 °C, each 5 °C higher temperature was significantly associated with 0.70 × 106/ml, 4.09 × 106, 1.01%, 1.06%, 4.31 × 106, and 4.20 × 106 decrease in sperm concentration, total sperm count, total motility, progressive motility, total motile sperm count and progressively motile sperm count, respectively. Age, BMI and smoking did not significantly modify these associations. Similar results were observed for apparent temperature. This study provides a comprehensive picture of nonlinear association between ambient temperature and semen quality, as well as an optimal temperature for the benefit of semen quality. Both lower and higher ambient temperature exposures compared with the optimal temperature were significantly associated with decreased semen quality. The findings highlight the needs and importance to reduce extreme ambient temperature exposures in maintaining optimal semen quality for men. Further investigation is warranted to determine the causality of the association and the underlying mechanisms.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Association between ambient temperature and semen quality: A longitudinal study of 10 802 men in China
- Creators
- Yun Zhou - School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, ChinaTianqing Meng - Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, ChinaLi Wu - Reproductive Medical Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, ChinaYonggang Duan - Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Centre of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518053, ChinaGuo Li - Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, ChinaChunxiang Shi - National Meteorological Information Center, Beijing 100081, ChinaHai Zhang - Institute of Health Surveillance, Analysis and Protection, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, ChinaZhe Peng - Institute of Health Surveillance, Analysis and Protection, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, ChinaChuangang Fan - Institute of Health Surveillance, Analysis and Protection, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, ChinaJixuan Ma - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, ChinaChengliang Xiong - Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, ChinaWei Bao - Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USAYuewei Liu - Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environment international, Vol.135, pp.105364-105364
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105364
- PMID
- 31841801
- NLM abbreviation
- Environ Int
- ISSN
- 0160-4120
- eISSN
- 1873-6750
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/501100012226, name: Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, award: 19ykpy89; name: Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, ; DOI: 10.13039/100008893, name: University of Iowa
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/2020
- Academic Unit
- Microbiology and Immunology; Epidemiology; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984066347102771
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