Negative association of atmospheric pollutants with semen quality: A cross-sectional study in Taiyuan, China

Abstract

BackgroundIn recent decades, the quality of male semen has decreased worldwide. Air pollution has been linked to lower semen quality in several studies. However, the effects of atmospheric pollutants on different semen characteristics have not always been consistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the Air Quality Index (AQI) and six atmospheric pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3), semen quality, and their key exposure window periods. MethodsThis study included 1711 semen samples collected at the reproductive clinics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, from October 10, 2021, to September 30, 2022. We evaluated the association of AQI and six atmospheric pollutants with semen quality parameters throughout sperm development and three key exposure windows in men using single-pollutant models, double-pollutant models, and subgroup analyses of semen quality-eligible groups. ResultsBoth the single-pollutant model and subgroup analyses showed that PM, CO, and O3 levels were negatively correlated with total and progressive motility. At 70–90 d before semen collection, CO exposure and semen volume (β =-1.341, 95 % CI: −1.805, −0.877, P <0.001), total motility (β =-2.593, 95 % CI: −3.425, −1.761, P <0.001), and progressive motility (β =-4.658, 95 % CI: −5.556, −3.760, P <0.001) were negatively correlated. At 0–9 days before semen collection, CO was negatively correlated with normal morphology (β =-3.403, 95 % CI: −5.099, −1.708, P <0.001). Additionally, the AQI was adversely associated with total and progressive motility in subgroup analyses of the semen quality-eligible groups. ConclusionsDuring the entire sperm development process, multiple air pollutants were determined to have an adverse correlation with semen quality parameters. AQI was significant marker for the combined effects of various atmospheric pollutants on male reproductive health.