title: Male reproductive function in workers exposed to vibration.
abstract: Male infertility is a significant health problem. Increasing attention has been paid to the use of semen analysis as an indicator of exposure to potential reproductive hazards. The aim of the current paper was to study the effects of vibrations on the spermatogenesis in workers of different occupational groups (professional drivers, miners, engine drivers, etc.). Semen samples were analyzed for pH, volume, turbidity, sperm density sperm count and sperm morphology. Workers had an increased prevalence of oligospermia and azoospermia. The semen volume and percentage of motile spermatozoa decreased significantly and the incidence of sperm malformation increased in exposed workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, Ecology and Occupational Diseases, Medical School, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Penkov
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stanislavov
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tzvetkov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000209:etiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*