title: New evidence of the influence of exogenous and endogenous factors on sperm count in man.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the association between individual exposures due to occupation, environment and lifestyle on sperm count, we conducted a case-control study among 92 fertile and 73 sub-fertile Caucasian males.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from questionnaires were analysed using simple univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At risk for oligozoospermia are men exposed to pesticides (odds ratio (OR) 8.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-52.1), welding (OR 2.8; CI 0.9-8.7), antibiotic use (OR 15.4; CI 1.4-163), a history of mumps (OR 2.9; CI 1.3-6.7), gastrointestinal complaints (OR 6.2; CI 1.4-26.8), decreased intake of fruits (OR 2.3; CI 1.0-5.1), vegetables (OR 1.9; CI 0.7-5.0), or with female fertility disorders in their families (OR 8.4; CI 1.7-41.9). Unlike other studies, no associations were observed between oligozoospermia and exposure to paint or heat.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests new risk factors oligozoospermia in man and confirms previously reported results from others.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wai Yee
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Gerhard A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Zielhuis
authors.forename: Chris M G
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Hans M W M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Merkus
authors.forename: Régine P M
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Steegers-Theunissen
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000235:genetics; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009107:Mumps / Q000150:complications; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013076:Sperm Count; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables; D014896:Welding
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010575:Pesticides