title: Environmental & lifestyle factors in deterioration of male reproductive health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Male reproductive function in the general population has been receiving attention in recent years due to reports of various reproductive and developmental defects, which might be associated with various lifestyle and environmental factors. This study was carried out to determine the role of various lifestyle and environmental factors in male reproduction and their possible association with declining semen quality, increased oxidative stress as well as sperm DNA damage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen samples were obtained from 240 male partners of the couples consulting for infertility problem. Semen analysis was carried out using WHO criteria and subjects were categorized on the basis of self reported history of lifestyle as well as environmental exposure. The oxidative and antioxidant markers; lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as DNA damage by acridine orange test (AO) were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of abnormal semen parameters was significantly higher among the lifestyle and/or environmental exposed subjects as compared to the non-exposed population. Further, the levels of antioxidants were reduced and sperm DNA damage was more among the lifestyle and/or environmental exposed subjects, though the changes were not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicated that various lifestyle factors such as tobacco smoking, chewing and alcohol use as well as exposure to toxic agents might be attributed to the risk of declining semen quality and increase in oxidative stress and sperm DNA damage.
authors: Division of Reproductive & Cytotoxicology, National Institute of Occupational Health (ICMR), Ahmedabad, India.
authors: Sunil
authors: S
authors: Kumar
authors: Division of Reproductive & Cytotoxicology, National Institute of Occupational Health (ICMR), Ahmedabad, India.
authors: Shiva
authors: S
authors: Murarka
authors: V V
authors: VV
authors: Mishra
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: Gautam
mesh_terms: D000165:Acridine Orange; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000639:trends*; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000639:trends; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities*
chemical_list: D000165:Acridine Orange