title: Agricultural work and male infertility.
abstract: Data from couples (n = 103) seeking artificial insemination with donor sperm because of poor sperm quality and a control group of couples treated by in-vitro fertilization due to female causes were analysed according to the occupations of the spouses. Comparison of occupational categories revealed a significant difference in the prevalence of agricultural occupation (11/103 vs. 1/103, p < 0.01) between the group with male factor infertility and the normospermic controls. These patients also reported more long-term exposure to several insecticides and other pesticides. These toxic chemicals probably have a detrimental effect on male fertility and therefore we suggest more caution in the way they are handled.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sterility Treatment, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Strohmer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boldizsar
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Plöckinger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feldner-Busztin
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Feichtinger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000139:chemically induced; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016573:Agrochemicals; D010575:Pesticides