title: Maternal shift work during pregnancy and biomarkers of reproductive function among the male offspring--a pilot follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the associations between maternal shift work during         pregnancy and measures of semen quantity and quality and level of reproductive hormones among young, adult men.
  
  
  METHODS
  From a Danish pregnancy cohort established in 1984-1987, 347 sons aged 18-21 years were selected         in 2005-2006 and semen and blood samples were taken. At around the 36         (th)week of gestation, the mothers completed a questionnaire that included a question on shift work during         pregnancy. Information on shift work was available for mothers of 278 sons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 278 sons, 42 (15%) had had         fetal exposure to maternal shift work. Men exposed to maternal shift work had 30% [95% confidence interval (95% CI)         -58-16] lower adjusted percentage normal morphology sperm, 18% (95% CI -30-100) higher adjusted sperm         concentration, and 11% (95% CI -0.6-25) higher adjusted levels of testosterone than men not exposed. Adjusted         semen volume, total sperm count, percentage motile sperm and serum levels of estradiol, follicle stimulation hormone         (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), inhibin B, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were not associated with maternal         shift work during pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this pilot study indicate no strong associations between         maternal shift work during pregnancy and the quantity and quality of semen or level of reproductive hormones among         sons.
authors.affiliation: The Danish Ramazzini Center, Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44, Building 2C, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. ceciraml@rm.dk
authors.forename: Cecilia Høst
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ramlau-Hansen
authors.forename: Linn Berger
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Håkonsen
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Jens Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bonde
authors.forename: Jørn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Ane Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Thulstrup
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers