Effect of the Lebanese civil war on sperm parameters.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of the Lebanese civil war on sperm parameters.


METHODS
Retrospective review of patient records.


METHODS
Males providing semen samples at a university laboratory. Semen samples collected 1985-1989 (during the war) were compared with those obtained 1991-1995 (postwar).


METHODS
Males with or without a history of infertility providing semen samples at a university central laboratory.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Standard clinical semen analysis.


RESULTS
The sperm concentration was significantly lower during the war compared with the postwar period. However, the percentage of abnormal sperm morphology increased in the postwar period. War had no significant effect on volume and motility. Postwar, the percent azospermic and those <10 million remained the same, but there was a shift in the count from the borderline count (11-20 million) to normal (>20 million).


CONCLUSIONS
There was a significant decline in sperm concentration during the Lebanese civil war. Increased stress level during the war is believed to be one of the main factors leading to this finding.
Abu-Musa
Antoine A
AA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. aa06@aub.edu.lb
Nassar
Anwar H
AH
Hannoun
Antoine B
AB
Usta
Ihab M
IM
D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014857:Warfare