In March 2020, the Italian government imposed a national lockdown which was almost completely removed in June 2020. Due to the abrupt stop of human activities, emissions of air pollutants decreased. Air pollution is an environmental risk factor for noncommunicable disease and mortality. Emerging evidence also suggests a role in male infertility. In this study, we compared sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) levels and conventional semen parameters between subjects undergoing sDF determination and routine semen analysis in a single Italian centre, during about 6 months before (N = 119) and after lockdown (N = 105). After lockdown, we found an improvement of sperm progressive motility (48.00[38.50-58.00]% vs. 42.00[33.00-53.00]%) and sDF levels (as total: 24.79[18.33-33.97]% vs. 35.02[25.04-45.73]%, p < .001; brighter: 14.02[10.69-17.93]% vs 18.54[13.58-25.82]%, p < .001 and dimmer sDF: 9.24[5.64-15.78]% vs. 12.24[8.08-19.10]%, p < .01), mirrored by a decrease of leukocyte semen concentration (p < .01). The improvement of sperm motility and DNA quality was maintained after adjusting for leukocyte concentration and several conditions known to affect sperm motility and/or sDF levels. With a significant decrease in air pollution observed in Tuscany during and after lockdown, associated improvement in sperm motility and DNA quality in patients referred to the infertility clinic is suggestive of the potential role of air pollution in male infertility.

Decrease of air pollution during lockdown in Tuscany (Italy): An effect on sperm DNA fragmentation? / Costanza Calamai, Oumaima Ammar, Sara Marchiani, Selene Degl'Innocenti, Marisa Fino, Lorenzo Righi, Sara Dabizzi, Mario Maggi, Elisabetta Baldi , Linda Vignozzi, Monica Muratori. - In: ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS. - ISSN 0893-6692. - STAMPA. - 64:(2023), pp. 148-158. [10.1002/em.22530]

Decrease of air pollution during lockdown in Tuscany (Italy): An effect on sperm DNA fragmentation?

Costanza Calamai;Oumaima Ammar;Sara Marchiani;Selene Degl'Innocenti;Sara Dabizzi;Mario Maggi;Elisabetta Baldi;Linda Vignozzi;Monica Muratori
2023

Abstract

In March 2020, the Italian government imposed a national lockdown which was almost completely removed in June 2020. Due to the abrupt stop of human activities, emissions of air pollutants decreased. Air pollution is an environmental risk factor for noncommunicable disease and mortality. Emerging evidence also suggests a role in male infertility. In this study, we compared sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) levels and conventional semen parameters between subjects undergoing sDF determination and routine semen analysis in a single Italian centre, during about 6 months before (N = 119) and after lockdown (N = 105). After lockdown, we found an improvement of sperm progressive motility (48.00[38.50-58.00]% vs. 42.00[33.00-53.00]%) and sDF levels (as total: 24.79[18.33-33.97]% vs. 35.02[25.04-45.73]%, p < .001; brighter: 14.02[10.69-17.93]% vs 18.54[13.58-25.82]%, p < .001 and dimmer sDF: 9.24[5.64-15.78]% vs. 12.24[8.08-19.10]%, p < .01), mirrored by a decrease of leukocyte semen concentration (p < .01). The improvement of sperm motility and DNA quality was maintained after adjusting for leukocyte concentration and several conditions known to affect sperm motility and/or sDF levels. With a significant decrease in air pollution observed in Tuscany during and after lockdown, associated improvement in sperm motility and DNA quality in patients referred to the infertility clinic is suggestive of the potential role of air pollution in male infertility.
2023
64
148
158
Costanza Calamai, Oumaima Ammar, Sara Marchiani, Selene Degl'Innocenti, Marisa Fino, Lorenzo Righi, Sara Dabizzi, Mario Maggi, Elisabetta Baldi , Linda Vignozzi, Monica Muratori
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Calamai et al, Environ and Mol Mutagen - 2023 - Calamai - Decrease of air pollution during lockdown in Tuscany Italy An effect on sperm.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Pdf editoriale (Version of record)
Licenza: Open Access
Dimensione 2.22 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.22 MB Adobe PDF

I documenti in FLORE sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/1303968
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 0
social impact