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Semin Reprod Med 2023; 41(06): 226-240
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1782151
Review Article

Deteriorating Semen Quality: The Role of the Environment

Helena E. Virtanen
1   Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
,
Wiwat Rodprasert
1   Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
,
Jorma Toppari 
1   Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
2   Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
3   Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
4   Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
› Author Affiliations Funding This work was supported by Academy of Finland (grant 308065); Turku University Hospital (state research funding ERVA); the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation; the Innovation Fund Denmark (Plexfer); and the Foundation for Pediatric Research.
› Further Information
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Abstract

Since the end of the last century, several reports have suggested that semen quality is declining, especially in Western countries. Furthermore, cross-sectional studies using similar protocols have suggested regional differences in semen quality of young and fertile men. Reasons for these regional differences and local adverse trends in semen quality are unknown, but environmental factors are suspected to have a role. Besides adulthood environmental exposures, those occurring during testicular development may also affect semen quality. Longitudinal follow-up studies and mixture risk analyses are needed to study the effect of fetal, childhood, and adult life environment on semen quality.

Keywords

semen quality - environment - endocrine disrupting chemical


Publication History

Article published online:
18 March 2024

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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