Long-term effect of exposure to mustard gas on male infertility

ABSTRACT

Sulfur mustard is a noxious chemical and a carcinogen that causes acute and chronic injuries with both local and systemic effects. This study was conducted to investigate the long-term effect of sulfur mustard [mustard gas] on male infertility in couples, in whom the husbands were highly suspected of being exposed to mustard gas. A total of 91 couples, in whom men, highly suspicious of being exposed to mustard gas during the Iran-Iraq war, were fully examined by an urologist and a gynecologist, and urged to provide semen for three standard sperm analyses. Of 91 couples, 40 were infertile 10 years after given that the frequency is approximately 10-12% in normal population. In addition, thorough examination of the wives by a Gynecologist showed that of the foregoing 40 infertile couples, 8 [20%] of women suffered from infertility problems. The infertility of the remaining 32 [80%] was due to male factors as compared with 40-50% in the normal population. The results of the present research demonstrated that in the population under study, male factors had greater impact on infertility. The exposure of males to mustard gas played a distinct role in long term infertility