Sperm quality and DNA integrity of coke oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Journal Title: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health - Year 2016, Vol 29, Issue 6
Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess sperm quality and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity of coke oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as compared to control subjects. Material and methods: The coke oven workers (N = 52) and administrative staff (N = 35) of a steel plant served as the exposed and control groups, respectively. Exposure to PAHs was assessed by measuring 1-hydroxypyren. Analysis of sperm quality (concentration, motility, vitality, and morphology) was performed simultaneously with sperm DNA integrity analysis, including DNA fragmentation, denaturation, bulky DNA adducts, and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGuo). A questionnaire was conducted to collect demographic and potential confounding data. Results: The coke oven workers had lower percentages of sperm motility, vitality and normal morphology than the control group, but the difference was not significant. For DNA integrity, the coke oven workers had significantly higher concentrations of bulky DNA adducts and 8-oxo-dGuo than the control subjects (p = 0.009 and p = 0.048, respectively). However, DNA fragmentation percentages did not significantly increase as compared to those in the subjects from the control group (p = 0.232). There was no correlation between sperm quality parameters and DNA integrity indicators. Conclusions: Occupational exposure of the coke oven workers to PAHs was associated with decreased sperm DNA integrity. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2016;29(6):915–926
Authors and Affiliations
Hueiwang Anna Jeng, Chih-Hong Pan, Mu-Rong Chao, Chien-Chih Chiu, Guodong Zhou, Chon-Kit Chou, Wen-Yi Lin
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP272650
- DOI 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00598
- Views 109
- Downloads 0
Cytostatics as hazardous chemicals in healthcare workers’ environment
Cytostatics not only induce significant side-effects in patients treated oncologically but also pose a threat to the health of occupationally exposed healthcare workers: pharmacists, physicians, nurses and other personne...
AIR POLLUTION AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS FOR DEPRESSION IN EDMONTON, CANADA
[b]Objectives:[/b] Depression is a common cause of morbidity. Sufferers are very sensitive to many external factors. Emergency department (ED) visits for this condition can be associated with the concentration of ambient...
Screening commercial drivers for obstructive sleep apnea: Validation of STOP-Bang questionnaire
Objectives: The main aim has been to examine psychometric properties of STOP-Bang (snoring, tiredness, observed apnea, high blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), age, neck circumference, male gender) scoring model (Serb...
Respiratory parameters at varied altitudes in intermittent mining work
Objectives: Workers in the mining industry in altitude are subjected to several risk factors, e.g., airborne silica and low barometric pressure. The aim of this study has been to assess the risks for this work category,...
Authors’ response (September 1, 2017) to the letter to the Editor concerning the paper “Impact of electromagnetic radiation emitted by monitors on changes in the cellular membrane structure and protective antioxidant effect of vitamin A – In vitro study”
Refers to: Mortazavi SMJ. Letter to the Editor (July 26, 2017) concerning the paper “Impact of electromagnetic radiation emitted by monitors on changes in the cellular membrane structure and protective antioxidant effect...