Introduction and objective. In the light of current data concerning the growing exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) originating from atrificial sources, especially from medical ones, and also related to occupational exposure, it is justifiable to systematize the state of knowledge concerning the effect of IR on the male reproductive system. Brief description of the state of knowledge. There is no basis for the application of the hypothesis of hormesis in the area of male reproductive health. Regarding the impact of IR on spermatogenesis, spermatogonia are less susceptible to the occurrence of DNA damage after exposition to IR, but are characterized by slower DNA repair compared to somatic cells. Damage to the genes after exposure to IR is possible at each stage of spermatogenesis; however, haploidal spermatids show the highest radiosensitivity in this respect. The genetic risk of the cells differentiating during spermatogenesis is limited to one cycle of spermatogenesis, whereas the genetic instability may persist for the whole period of life, and DNA damage induced by IR may be transmitted to future generations. The minimum dose causing detectable DNA damage was 30 Gy. While exceeding this dose, the number of single-strand DNA breaks increases. Among males exposed to IR, a decrease was observed in sperm motility and in the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa as well as in an intensification of vacuolization. The genetic material in the sperm of these males showed higher fragmentation and methylation of genomic DNA. Conclusion. In the context of the epidemiological situation concerning the prevalence of infertility, while assessing the health effects of exposure to IR from artificial, including medical sources, the reproductive risk should be considered.

Introduction and objective. The tendency towards postponement of maternity implies a greater exposure of female germ cells to damaging environmental effects, including ionizing radiation (IR). Progress in paediatric oncology, based on the use of radiotherapy, also implies the occurrence of gonadal dysfunctions and subsequent female fertility disorders. Therefore, it seems justifiable to systematize the state of knowledge concerning the effect of IR on the female reproductive system. Brief description of the state of knowledge. A considerable part of studies concerning the effect of IR on female germ cells have been conducted on animals. Their extrapolation to humans is hindered because in animal studies high acute exposures are applied, which do not reflect human environmental exposures characterized by chronic low dose exposure. Studies on animals provide a heterogenous image, which hinders the formulation of unequivocal conclusions and indicates that radiosensitivity depends, i.a. on IR dose, stage of development of oocytes, the applied marker of the effects of IR, or on the species. LD50 of human oocytes is estimated to be below 2 Gy. The effect of IR depends, i.a. on the dose fractionation and the age (older women are more radiosensitive). In females, the effective sterilizing dose is: at birth 20.3 Gy, at 10 years 18.4 Gy, at 20 years 16.5 Gy, whereas at 30 years 14.3 Gy, which is associated with the available pool of ovarian follicles. Conclusions. Within the range of low doses received as a result of environmental exposure to IR, there is no evidence for the occurrence of either adverse pregnancy outcomes, nor fertility disorders in females. These effects may be related to the cancer radiotherapy, or exposure to high IR doses during nuclear accidents.

IntroductionLaparoscopy is a long-established diagnostic and therapeutic method for treating women suffering from infertility. The application of this method of treatment can help achieve pregnancy only if there is correct classification of patients and evaluation of their partner’s reproductive capacity. The main predictors of achieving pregnancy in a couple treated for infertility are the woman’s age, her ovarian reserve, tubal patency, the presence of endometriosis and quality of sperm parameters.AimTo evaluate the effect of endometriosis, ovarian reserve and selected parameters of semen on the effect of achieving pregnancy in patients undergoing laparoscopy.Material and methodsThe most significant predictor of pregnancy in patients undergoing laparoscopy due to infertility was found to be anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level after laparoscopy, and the main parameters of semen partners were density, motility and morphology. The number of achieved pregnancies after the laparoscopic treatment of infertility was lower in patients diagnosed with endometriosis, and depended on the severity of the condition.ResultsAs a result of laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis, we found a decrease in ovarian reserve measured by means of AMH.ConclusionsThe most important predictors of pregnancy in patients who underwent laparoscopy due to infertility are post-laparoscopy AMH levels and the main parameters of the partner’s semen: density, motility and morphology. The number of pregnancies after laparoscopic treatment is lower in patients diagnosed with endometriosis, and depends on the severity of the conditio.

Introduction and objective. The male reproductive system constitutes a set of tissues which are particularly sensitive to external factors. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between background radioactivity and the quality of the semen of the men who have reported to the infertility treatment facility in 2000-2016 in the Lublin region of eastern Poland. Materials and method. The radioactivity of the ground-level air layer obtained from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management in Włodawa in the Lublin region was analysed. 4,250 spermiograms of patients who reported to the treatment facility for the first time due to infertility were analysed and correlated to background radioactivity in the Lublin region in 2000-2016. Results. A long-term decrease in the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa of the patients was observed (r=-0.970; p<0.001 in 2000-2009 and r=-0.925; p=0.003 in 2010-2016). Men's age correlated negatively with sperm motility (r=-0.164; p=0.009) and morphology (r=-0.186; p=0.009). The percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology was lowered by beta-isotopes of artificial origin in the air in 2000-2009 (r=-0.655; p=0.040) and by the exposure to gamma radiation of the ground-level atmosphere in 2010-2016 (r=-0.676; p=0.048). The percentage of sperm vitality was lowered by gamma radiation in the atmosphere (r=-0.636; p=0.006), but improved by beta isotopes in precipitation (r=0.686; p=0.002) in the whole of the analyzed period. Conclusions. The percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa in patients who reported to the infertility treatment depends not only on the age of patient, but also on beta-isotopes of artificial origin and gamma radiation in the atmosphere. Beta isotopes in precipitation affect the improvement of sperm vitality.