Impacts of Outdoor Air Pollution on Human Semen Quality: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Overview

Journal Biomed Res Int

Publisher Wiley

Specialties Biomedical Engineering
Biotechnology
General Medicine

Date 2020 May 19

PMID 32420369

Citations 14

Authors

Jianzhong Zhang

Zhonglin Cai

Chengquan Ma

Jian Xiong

Hongjun Li

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Several studies have explored the association between outdoor air pollution and semen quality. However, the results were inconsistent. We performed the current meta-analysis to evaluate the role of outdoor air pollution in semen quality. . Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched to identify relevant studies. Relative data in participants under higher exposure and lower exposure to air pollution were extracted. Pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized to assess the effects of outdoor air pollution on semen quality. In addition, trial sequential analyses (TSAs) were performed to obtain a more comprehensive assessment of analyses.

Results: A total of 11 studies with 4562 males were enrolled in the current meta-analysis. Higher air pollution levels were associated with significant decreases in semen volume (WMD: -0.16, 95% CI: -0.27 to -0.05), sperm concentration (WMD: -5.52, 95% CI: -9.88 to -1.16), progressive motility (WMD: -6.23, 95% CI: -11.64 to -0.81), total motility (WMD: -7.65, 95% CI: -14.09 to -1.20), and normal sperm morphology rate (WMD: -3.71, 95% CI: -5.59 to -1.82). In addition, the DNA fragmentation index significantly increased (WMD: 4.11, 95% CI: 1.94 to 6.29).

Conclusions: Air pollution is associated with decreased semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology rate.

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