Study on sperm quality of males living in cold area / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects on male reproductive function working under cold area.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After on site investigation, advanced molecular lab analysis-single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) which are combined with semen routine analysis were used to evaluate semen quality and sperm sub-clinical injury.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Semen routine analysis showed that the semen parameters of the males working in cold area were within normal range, but level I comet cell percentage in SCGE increased significantly, which was 4.4%, compared to the contrast group (1.9%) with significant difference. During sperm chromatin structure assay parameters, comp alpha t increased, with an average value of 22.26%. The two kinds of results both showed single and double strand breakages in sperm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Long-term exposure to cold could induce sperm DNA injury, but not affect sperm quality. The results suggested that it was important to reinforce the reproductive care in males working in cold areas.</p>