Male reproductive pattern in a glass producing area.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the reproductive pattern among male crystal glassworkers in comparison to other males in a restricted area in the south-east part of Sweden. The parish register information was gathered for all men with job titles registered, decreased at the age above 20 years during 1950-1982. The comparison of reproductive patterns was made between groups of glassworkers, farmers and workers of other occupations. As an indicator of fertility, birth rates and time to first child-birth were calculated. Male sex ratios (number of boys/all child-births) were calculated as a measure of reproductive disturbances. The total birth rates as well as the birth rates for sons were slightly decreased among glassworkers when compared to the group of non-farmers/non-glassworkers and significantly decreased when compared to farmers. The total birth rate of the non-farmer/non-glassworker group was also significantly decreased compared to farmers. No differences in sex ratios among children born or in time to first child-birth were seen between the three groups. Among the glassworkers, the reduction in birth rates was most pronounced among engravers/grinders both in comparison to farmers and others. The results indicate that paternal exposure in crystal glassworks might somewhat negatively affect the male reproduction at least in a historical perspective. The mechanisms behind this cannot be concluded from this study.
Wingren
G
G
Department of Health and Environment, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping, Sweden.
Persson
B
B
D000328:Adult; D001723:Birth Rate / Q000639:trends*; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012016:Reference Values; D012042:Registries; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D007854:Lead