title: [Effect of benzene on sperm DNA].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of benzene on sperm DNA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven workers exposed to benzene for over two years were included in the experiment group and 35 unexposed ones were chosen as controls. Damage by benzene on sperm DNA was detected by modified single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The benzene concentration in the air of the workplace of the exposed workers was (86.49 +/- 2.83) mg/m3, twice that of the national maximum allowance (40 mg/cm3). Urinary, trans-muconic acid in the exposed group was (1.40 +/- 0.62) mg/L (n = 27), significantly higher than that of the controls [(0.82) +/- 0.16) mg/L, n = 35]. After SCGE, the percentage of head DNA in the exposed group [(70.18% +/- 7.36%, n = 13 ] was significantly lower than that of the controls (90.62% +/- 2.94%, n = 16), P < 0.001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher concentration of benzene could cause damage to the sperm DNA of the workers exposed to it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital of Peking University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China. songbo58@163.com
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Zhi-ming
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li-xia
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Lü-kang
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001554:Benzene