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The impact of semen quality, occupational exposure to environmental factors and lifestyle on recurrent pregnancy loss

  • Gonadal Physiology and Disease
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effect of male semen quality, occupational exposure, and lifestyle on recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Methods

Information on couples’ occupational exposure and lifestyle was collected using a detailed questionnaire from 68 RPL couples and 63 randomly selected healthy controls. Semen parameters were estimated by computer-assisted sperm analysis, and sperm nuclear status was detected with aniline blue (AB) staining.

Results

Patients in the RPL group had significantly lower viability, normal morphology, and total progressive motility of sperm, and a higher mean percentage of AB staining positive sperm compared with those of controls (P < 0.05). There were no differences in sperm concentration, and motility between the groups (P > 0.05). Significant odds ratio (OR) was found when occupational exposure and unhealthy habits were superimposed (OR: 11.965, P = 0.005).

Conclusions

In addition to standard female factors for evaluating the risk for RPL, the use of male factors should also be taken into consideration. We found that sperm quality, occupational exposure, and lifestyle are factors that affect RPL. Consequently, occupational exposure and lifestyle factors should constitute an important section of questionnaires given to patients, and these factors should be evaluated by a clinician or trained staff.

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Acknowledgments

This research was generously supported by a grant from National Population and Family Planning Commission of P.R.China (No.2011-GJKJS-07).

Conflicts of interest

The authors had no conflicts of interest to declare in relation to this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China

    Wang Ruixue, Zhou Hongli, Zhang Zhihong, Dai Rulin, Geng Dongfeng & Liu Ruizhi

  2. The First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China

    Liu Ruizhi

Authors
  1. Wang Ruixue
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  2. Zhou Hongli
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  3. Zhang Zhihong
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  4. Dai Rulin
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  5. Geng Dongfeng
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  6. Liu Ruizhi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Liu Ruizhi.

Additional information

Capsule Impaired sperm quality, occupational exposure, and unhealthy lifestyle are correlated with RPL. Therefore, the evaluation of male factors plays an important role in the management of RPL.

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Ruixue, W., Hongli, Z., Zhihong, Z. et al. The impact of semen quality, occupational exposure to environmental factors and lifestyle on recurrent pregnancy loss. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 1513–1518 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0091-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0091-1

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