Sperm morphological defects related to environment, lifestyle and medical history of 1001 male partners of pregnant women from four European cities
Abstract
Background Recently, differences in semen quality have been found among the partners of pregnant women from four European cities: Turku, Copenhagen, Edinburgh and Paris. Methods During this study, slides from the four centres were subjected to a centralized assessment of sperm morphology. The percentages of sperm defects were recorded using a multiple-entry classification enabling the calculation of the multiple anomalies index (MAI), which is the mean number of anomalies per abnormal sperm. The relationships between various sperm abnormalities and self-reported data on medical history, lifestyle and occupational factors were examined. Results Significant differences in the MAI and most of the sperm defects were found between the four cities, and more abnormalities were found in spring than in winter. An increase in some sperm abnormalities was related to medical treatment of the mother during pregnancy, higher birthweight and previous treatment for cryptorchidism. Significant variations of several sperm defects were related to stress, weekly working time, occupational posture and metal welding, suggesting directions for further exposure studies. Conclusion The present study indicated that the detailed assessment of sperm abnormalities is a useful biomarker of the effect of various external factors which may qualitatively affect human spermatogenesis.
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Other sperm morphology classifications exist, but they are not accepted globally and are used in certain countries only.
“Aside from the classification used by the WHO, other sperm morphology classifications also exist. However, they are not accepted globally but are used in certain countries only (33,34).”
From Isolated teratozoospermia: revisiting its relevance in male infertility: a narrative review (2024) · cites this paper as [33]
Auger et al. compared morphology values for 1,001 men from 4 European cities and found no difference in PNS.
“Likewise, Auger et al. (14) compared the morphology values for 1,001 men from 4 European cities and found no difference in the PNS.”
From Poor reproducibility of percentage of normally shaped sperm using the World Health Organization Fifth Edition strict grading criteria (2022) · cites this paper as Auger et al. [14]
Outcomes are inconsistent for studies correlating lifestyle and environmental exposures with sperm morphology.
“Likewise, outcomes are inconsistent for studies correlating lifestyle and environmental exposures with sperm morphology (11, 12, 13, 14, 15).”
From Poor reproducibility of percentage of normally shaped sperm using the World Health Organization Fifth Edition strict grading criteria (2022) · cites this paper as [14]
Auger et al. found an association between poorer sperm morphology and occupational and lifestyle exposures such as metal welding, alcohol consumption, and chemical spraying.
“The investigators did find an association between poorer sperm morphology and occupational and lifestyle exposures (e.g., metal welding, alcohol consumption, and chemical spraying).”
From Poor reproducibility of percentage of normally shaped sperm using the World Health Organization Fifth Edition strict grading criteria (2022) · cites this paper as Auger et al. [14]
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World Health Organization reference values for human semen characteristics*‡
Cooper, T. G., Noonan, E., von Eckardstein, S., Auger, J., Baker, H. W. G., Behre, H. M., Haugen, T. B., Kruger, T., Wang, C., Mbizvo, M. T., et al. (2010) · Human Reproduction Update · doi:10.1093/humupd/dmp048 · Cited by 2,827 · see citing works
Self-citationSlama, R. (2002) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/17.2.503 · Cited by 308 · see citing works
Role of antioxidants in the treatment of male infertility
Kefer, J. C., Agarwal, A., & Sabanegh, E. (2009) · International Journal of Urology · doi:10.1111/j.1442-2042.2009.02280.x · Cited by 273 · see citing works
Zidi-Jrah, I., Hajlaoui, A., Mougou-Zerelli, S., Kammoun, M., Meniaoui, I., Sallem, A., Brahem, S., Fekih, M., Bibi, M., Saad, A., et al. (2016) · Fertility and Sterility · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.09.041 · Cited by 167 · see citing works
The clinical content of preconception care: preconception care for men
Frey, K. A., Navarro, S. M., Kotelchuck, M., & Lu, M. C. (2008) · American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology · doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.10.024 · Cited by 147 · see citing works
Campbell, M. J., Lotti, F., Baldi, E., Schlatt, S., Festin, M. P. R., Björndahl, L., Toskin, I., & Barratt, C. L. R. (2021) · Andrology · doi:10.1111/andr.12983 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
“…82 Haugen et al. (2006)20 Yesb United States of America, Americas 487 Swan et al. (2003)21 Yesb France, Finland, Denmark, United Kingdom, Europe 826 Auger et al. (2001)22, Jørgensen et al. (2001)23, Slama et al. (2002)24 Yesb Denmark, Europe 199 Bonde et al. (1998)25, Jensen et al.…”
Isolated teratozoospermia: revisiting its relevance in male infertility: a narrative review
Atmoko, W., Savira, M., Shah, R., Chung, E., & Agarwal, A. (2024) · Translational Andrology and Urology · doi:10.21037/tau-23-397 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“However, they are not accepted globally but are used in certain countries only (33,34).”
Baker, K. C., Steiner, A. Z., Hansen, K. R., Barnhart, K. T., Cedars, M. I., Legro, R. S., Diamond, M. P., Krawetz, S. A., Usadi, R., Baker, V. L., et al. (2022) · F&S Reports · doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2022.03.003 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“(14) compared the morphology values for 1,001 men from 4 European cities and found no difference in the PNS.”
Background
- Authors
- Auger, J., Eustache, F., Andersen, A. G., Irvine, D. S., Jørgensen, N., Skakkebæk, N. E., Suominen, J., Toppari, J., Vierula, M., & Jouannet, P.
- Affiliations
- Hôpital Cochin (FR)
- Venue
- Human Reproduction
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2001-12
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 2710-2717
- ISSN
- 0268-1161 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-2350
- OpenAlex
- W1968960587
- Cited by
- 211
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 4.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Human Reproduction (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- European Commission
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Male Reproductive Health Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
- Keywords
- sperm morphology, semen quality, environmental factors, lifestyle factors, occupational exposure, metal welding, work posture, working hours, stress, cryptorchidism, birth weight, seasonal variation
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Birth Weight, Cryptorchidism, Denmark, Environment, Female, Finland, France, Humans, Life Style, Male, Metallurgy, Middle Aged, Posture, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Scotland, Seasons, Sperm Motility, Sperm Tail, Spermatozoa, Stress, Physiological, Occupational Exposure
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