Abstract:
Backgrounds. It has been described that an exposition of males to chemical substances may significantly
impoverish quality and quantity of produced spermatozoa. The aim of our study was to test whether the polluted air
in the Teplice district has negative effects on the quality of sperm of males living in this district.
Methods and Results. 325 males 18-year-old living in the Teplice district and in the control district of Prachatice
were tested. Samples were taken in 1992 and 1994, always at the end of winter and in autumn. According to WHO
laboratory manual for investigation of the human sperm, basic parameters were determined: volume of the semen,
pH, motility, number and morphology of spermatozoa. In selected groups of males the frequency of aneuploidia of
spermatozoa was also examined. Examination of aneuploidia was done using three color fluorescence in situ
hybridisation with satellite DNA proves specific for X, Z and 8 chromosomes. Logistic regression was used for the
data analysis and Odd’s Ratio was estimated (OR’s). OR’s was found for the morphology of spermatozoa (4.1 and
10.1 for medium and high exposition respectively), for the head morphology (6.1 and 4.1) and in the percentage of
motile spermatozoa (9.8 and 3.5). More intensively exposed males had higher frequency of disomy in chromosomes
X (p=0.012), XY (p=0.01), and Y (p<0.001).
Conclusions. Bio-indicators of toxic and genetic impairment have shown lower quality of sperm in males in
Teplice district.
Key words:
sperm, aneuploidia, bio-indicators, air pollution.
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