Open AccessRegional differences in semen quality in Europe
Author(s) -
Niels Jørgensen,
A. Nyboe Andersen,
Florence Eustache,
D. Stewart Irvine,
J. Suominen,
Jørgen Holm Petersen,
Anders Nyboe Andersen,
Jacques Auger,
Elizabeth Cawood,
Antero Horte,
Tina Kold Jensen,
Pierre Jouannet,
Niels Keiding,
Matti Vierula,
Jorma Toppari,
Niels E. Skakkebæk
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
human reproduction
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.446
H-Index - 226
eISSN - 1460-2350
pISSN - 0268-1161
DOI - 10.1093/humrep/16.5.1012
Subject(s) - semen quality , semen , sperm , semen analysis , demography , danish , abstinence , sperm bank , medicine , biology , fertility , infertility , population , andrology , pregnancy , linguistics , philosophy , psychiatry , sociology , genetics
Recent reports have indicated a decrease in semen quality of men in some countries, and suggested regional differences. A study was undertaken of semen samples from 1082 fertile men from four European cities (Copenhagen, Denmark; Paris, France; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Turku, Finland). Semen analysis was standardized, inter-laboratory differences in assessment of sperm concentration were evaluated, and morphology assessment centralized. Lowest sperm concentrations and total counts were detected for Danish men, followed by French and Scottish men. Finnish men had the highest sperm counts. Men from Edinburgh had the highest proportion of motile spermatozoa, followed by men from Turku, Copenhagen and Paris. Only the differences between Paris/Edinburgh and Paris/Turku were statistically significant (P < 0.003 and P < 0.002 respectively). No significant differences in morphology were detected. A general seasonal variation in sperm concentration (summer 70% of winter) and total sperm count (summer 72% of winter) was detected. Semen quality of a 'standardized' man (30 years old, fertile, ejaculation abstinence of 96 h) were estimated. Typically, sperm concentrations (x 10(6)/ml) for winter/summer were: Turku 132/93; Edinburgh 119/84; Paris 103/73; and Copenhagen 98/69. These differences in semen quality may indicate different environmental exposures or lifestyle changes in the four populations. However, it remains to be seen whether such changes can account for these differences. These data may also serve as a reference point for future studies on time trends in semen quality in Europe.