Background ionizing radiation and semen parameters of men with reproductive problems

Abstract

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.

Environmental Factors as the Main Hormonal Disruptors of Male Fertility

“…In Poland, exposure to radiation concerns tens of thousands of people. In this group, the highest percentage constitutes employees of the medical sector [41,42].…”

“…The impact of radiation on DNA is due to both effects and may result in damage to the following DNA components: the sugar skeleton and the nitrogenous bases. The most frequently occurring damage types are oxidative damage to bases, loss of base, strand breaks, and cross-links [41,42].…”

“…In an experiment in which human sperm was exposed to X-rays, increasing the dose from the minimal to 80 Gy, and subsequently looking for DNA breakage in situ using DBD-FISH procedure, the minimum radiation dose causing DNA breakage was 30 Gy, which means that this was much higher than the dose received accidentally. When this dose was exceeded, the number of DNA single-strand breaks increased, and was positively correlated with radiation intensity [41][42][43].…”

The role of physical agents’ exposure in male infertility: A critical review

“…Ionizing radiation comprehends all high energy waves, including alpha, beta, and gamma rays, and removes electrons from atoms and molecules of materials. Wdowiak et al proved that natural and artificial Alfa, Beta, and Gamma radioactive isotopes do not affect semen volume, count, density, and motility, but viability is negatively related to the Gamma isotope, and the percentage of sperm with nor- Cross-sectional study 145 men doing strenous worlk, 311 controls -Lower semen concentration and total sperm count mal morphology is negatively associated with to Beta and Gamma ones (35). Radiation therapy is also a dangerous risk factor, affecting every age range.…”

Protective Effects of Polydatin on Reproductive Injury Induced by Ionizing Radiation

“… 1 , 2 The epidemiological results of the Chernobyl accident found that long-term low-dose radiation increased the risk of infertility or postpartum anemia among women, 3 cohort study in high background radiation area found long-term low dose exposure to reduce male sperm motility. 4 These radiation–induced reproductive health problems plague scientific research workers, and it is urgent to find appropriate radiation protection agents and explore its biological mechanism.…”