Average sperm count remains unchanged despite reduction in maternal smoking: results from a large cross-sectional study with annual investigations over 21 years
Abstract
Study question How are temporal trends in lifestyle factors, including exposure to maternal smoking in utero, associated to semen quality in young men from the general population? Summary answer Exposure to maternal smoking was associated with lower sperm counts but no overall increase in sperm counts was observed during the study period despite a decrease in this exposure. What is known already Meta-analyses suggest a continuous decline in semen quality but few studies have investigated temporal trends in unselected populations recruited and analysed with the same protocol over a long period and none have studied simultaneous trends in lifestyle factors. Study design, size, duration Cross-sectional population-based study including ~300 participants per year (total number = 6386) between 1996 and 2016. Participants/materials, setting, methods The study is based on men from the Greater Copenhagen area, Denmark, with a median age of 19 years, and unselected with regard to fertility status and semen quality. The men delivered a semen sample, had a blood sample drawn and a physical examination performed and answered a comprehensive questionnaire, including information on lifestyle and the mother's pregnancy. Temporal trends in semen quality and lifestyle were illustrated graphically, and trends in semen parameters and the impact of prenatal and current lifestyle factors were explored in multiple regression analyses. Main results and the role of chance Throughout the study period,…
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The overall participation rate was 25%.
“The overall participation rate was 25% (Priskorn et al., 2018).”
From Use of e-cigarettes associated with lower sperm counts in a cross-sectional study of young men from the general population (2020) · cites this paper as Priskorn et al., 2018
From 1996, the proportion of men with known prior reproductive issues has been unchanged in the recruitment of military conscripts for monitoring semen quality among Danish men.
“From 1996, where recruitment of military conscripts for monitoring semen quality among Danish men was initiated (which this study is part of), the proportion of men with known prior reproductive issues has been unchanged (Priskorn et al., 2018).”
From Use of e-cigarettes associated with lower sperm counts in a cross-sectional study of young men from the general population (2020) · cites this paper as Priskorn et al., 2018
Cites
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Do Perfluoroalkyl Compounds Impair Human Semen Quality?
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Self-citationSlama, R. (2002) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/17.2.503 · Cited by 308 · see citing works
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Levine, H., Jørgensen, N., Martino-Andrade, A., Mendiola, J., Weksler-Derri, D., Jolles, M., Pinotti, R., & Swan, S. H. (2023) · Human Reproduction Update · doi:10.1093/humupd/dmac035 · Cited by 728 · see citing works
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Environmental factors in declining human fertility
Skakkebæk, N. E., Lindahl-Jacobsen, R., Levine, H., Andersson, A.-M., Jørgensen, N., Main, K. M., Lidegaard, Ø., Priskorn, L., Holmboe, S. A., Bräuner, E. V., et al. (2022) · Nature Reviews Endocrinology · doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00598-8 · Cited by 389 · see citing works
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Self-citationFrederiksen, H., Johannsen, T. H., Andersen, S. E., Petersen, J. H., Busch, A. S., Ljubicic, M. L., Fischer, M. B., Upners, E. N., Hagen, C. P., Main, K. M., et al. (2024) · Clinica Chimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.cca.2024.119852 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Priskorn, L., Nordkap, L., Bang, A. K., Krause, M., Holmboe, S. A., Egeberg Palme, D. L., Winge, S. B., Mørup, N., Carlsen, E., Joensen, U. N., Blomberg Jensen, M., Main, K. M., Juul, A., Skakkebaek, N. E., Jensen, T. K., & Jørgensen, N.
- Affiliations
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
- Corresponding author
- Jørgensen, N
- ORCID
- Venue
- Human Reproduction
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2018-04-11
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 998-1008
- ISSN
- 0268-1161 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-2350
- OpenAlex
- W2804840597
- Cited by
- 73
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3
- FWCI
- 8.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Human Reproduction (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
- University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Copenhagen University Hospital (BMH4-CT96-0314, QLK4-CT-1999–01422, QLK4-CT–2002–00603, FP7/2007–2013, 212844)
- 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 › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Keywords
- semen quality, sperm count, maternal smoking, prenatal exposure, temporal trends, lifestyle factors, alcohol consumption, testicular volume, follicle-stimulating hormone, young men, oligozoospermia, fertility decline, parental age, body mass index, medication use, smoking cessation, Denmark
- MeSH terms
- Cigarette Smoking, Cross-Sectional Studies, Denmark, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Mothers, Organ Size, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sperm Count, Sperm Motility, Testis, Smoking Cessation, Semen Analysis, Young Adult
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