Semen quality in Greenland.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify semen quality in the Greenlandic population.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study including recently proven fertile men from four regions including nine municipalities and one settlement in Greenland.


METHODS
The samples were analysed for sperm cell concentrations and motility using standard methods.


RESULTS
In total 201 semen samples were collected. The median sperm cell concentration of fertile men in Greenland was 53 x 10(6) sperm cells/ml, with a median sperm cell volume of 3.2 ml, a total sperm count of 185.6 x 10(6) sperm cells and a median motility of 60%. Regionally there were no statistical significant difference in sperm counts, but the sperm cell motility differed among regions, with the lowest sperm cell motility found in semen samples collected on the east coast. Overall sperm cell concentration and total sperm count in Greenland seems to be in the lower range compared to studies from Europe, USA and Japan.


CONCLUSIONS
Within Greenland the sperm cell concentration appears to be similar in different regions, but sperm cell motility tends to be lower in men from the east coast. This may be related to the higher organochlorine exposure level previously demonstrated in this population.
Toft
Gunnar
G
Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. gutof@akh.aaa.dk
Pedersen
Henning Sloth
HS
Bonde
Jens Peter
JP
D006116:Greenland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility