A study on the cognitive status of human papillomavirus among adult males in Tianjin based on the health belief model

Background:To understand the health beliefs and knowledge of human papillomavirus among adult males in Tianjin.Methods:An online questionnaire survey was conducted from 18 January 2023 to 6 March 2023 using snowball sampling method.Analyze the health belief scores and human papillomavirus(HPV)and HPV vaccine knowledge scores of adult males in Tianjin,and analyze their influencing factors.Results:A total of 388 adult males in Tianjin were surveyed,with an average total score of 3.23±0.04 for their health beliefs.Among them,the average scores for perceived severity,perceived susceptibility,perceived impairment,perceived benefit,and self-efficacy were 3.41±1.05,2.37±1.20,2.96±1.00,3.51±0.90,and 3.36±1.08,respectively.Multiple linear regression analyses showed education was a factor influencing health beliefs.The average total score of knowledge is 64.09±15.62,with 277 people scoring above 60,and a pass rate of 71.4%.Through multiple linear regression analysis,education level,emotional status,whether disease testing has been done,and whether family and friends have been diagnosed with HPV positive are the main influencing factors.Conclusion:The awareness rate of HPV among adult males in Tianjin is still acceptable,but there are still misconceptions.The overall level of health beliefs is moderate,and the perceived susceptibility level is low.It is necessary to strengthen health education on HPV related knowledge for males and improve their cognitive level.

Geographic Differences in Allometric Patterns of Males of the Japanese Firefly Luciola parvula

It has been well known for many years that males of Luciola parvula (Coleoptera, Lampyridae) have two morphs, namely small and large morphs in Japan. This article performed a statistical reanalysis of their morphological measurements based on previously published data and compared them. As a result, the two morphs were found to have different allometric patterns in the Hakone and Nagano areas, Japan. In Hakone, the relationships between their pronotum width and length were expressed by a common allometric line and a shift in location along the line. However, in Nagano, the relationships between their pronotum width and body length were expressed by two parallel allometric lines (a common slope and different intercepts). The allometric pattern of males of this species may vary among different parts of the body or among different areas. Therefore, this article recommends future studies to measure the same parts of the body as previous studies to clarify geographic variation in allometric relationships.

Mast cells and multiple sclerosis in females and males

Mast cells were observed in autopsies from 11 females and 8 males. We confirm earlier observations that mast cells are more frequent in close vicinity to MS-plaques. In these plaque-border zone areas, defined as the area within 1 mm distance of the actual plaques, the average number of mast cells was 2.34/mm2 in males and 4.77/mm2 in females, which in average is appr. 10 times more than earlier observed in MS. The difference in number of mast cells between females and males is significant (p < 0.005) and is of interest since females are more inclined to developing MS than males. Mast cells were rare in areas without visible plaques. The mast cells were preferably located close to capillaries and venules. A mechanism for the probable role of mast cells, based on diet-factors and mast cell mediators in the pathogenesis of MS is discussed.

Survey for late-onset hypogonadism among old anti middle-aged males in Shanghai communities

This study sought to investigate late-onset hypogonadism （LOH） in old and middle-aged males in Shanghai communities, using symptom score evaluation systems and measurements of sex hormone levels. One thousand cases of males aged 40-70 years were investigated. The aging male symptoms （AMS） scale and androgen deficiency in aging males （ADAM） questionnaire were used at the beginning of the investigation, followed by measurement of the sex hormone-related factors （total testosterone （TT）, free testosterone （fT）, sex hormone-binding globulin （SHBG） and bioavailability of testosterone （Bio-T））. There were 977 valid questionnaires. The LOH-positive rates shown by AMS and ADAM were 59.88% and 84.65%, respectively; values increased with the age of the patients. There were 946 results related to sex hormone measurements, which showed the following results： TT was not related to aging （P〉O.05）; levels of SHBG increased with age; and fT and Bio-T decreased with age. There was a significant difference in fT between LOH-positive and LOH-negative patients, as shown by the ADAM. In summary, TT levels were not related to aging, even though SHBG did increase while fT and Bio-T decreased with aging. Clinically, the diagnosis of LOH cannot be based on serum TT level.

Clinical evaluation of testicular torsion presenting with acute abdominal pain in young males

Objective:To evaluate the features of testicular torsion presenting with acute abdominal pain and to raise awareness of testicular torsion with specific symptoms.Methods:From October 2005 to June 2016,nine patients with testicular torsion who presented with isolated acute abdominal pain rather than scrotal pain as their primary symptom were retrospectively reviewed.Data,including the age of patients,season at admission,initial medical history,external genital examination,emergency ultrasound findings,operative findings,duration of abdominal pain,complications,and follow-up results,were collected.Results:The average age of patients was 14 years(range 10-17 years).Seven patients whose genitals were not initially examined externally were misdiagnosed as having ordinary abdominal diseases.Surgical exploration revealed that all the involved testes necrotized,and orchidectomy was performed.In the other two patients,scrotal and testicular abnormalities were detected immediately on admission,and emergency surgical exploration determined that the involved testis remained vital,so orchiopexy was performed.The mean duration from symptom onset to diagnosis was 4 h(3-5 h)in the orchiopexy group and 37 h(18-72 h)in the orchidectomy group.Six patients were psychologically affected during postoperative follow-up.Neither recurrence of testicular torsion nor testicular atrophy was recorded.Conclusion:Acute abdominal pain can be the initial and sole symptom of testicular torsion in young males.Physicians should pay close attention to the specific clinical presentation of testicular torsion.

Traditional Values on Males in Victorian Age——A Case study of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest

In Victorian Age, many literary works recorded the social realities and traditional social value system, and Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest is a good case in point. In this play, males are valued in terms of both birth condition and economic basis, which are two general standards from the traditional value system of the mainstream society. Oscar Wilde in this play satirizes the restrained and distorted traditional values and the hypocritical Victorian society. This paper will probe into how the social status and economic conditions determine males' fate in Victorian Age and on Oscar Wilde's creation.

Responses of serum inflammatory factor high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in elderly males with cerebral infarction Non-randomized concurrent control

BACKGROUND： Cerebral infarction is poorly treated due to neuronal necrosis and secondary pathophysiological changes; for example, free radical production and inflammatory reactions. OBJECTIVE： To detect the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）, interleukin-6 （IL-6）, and tumor necrosis factor- a （TNF- α ） in elderly males with cerebral infarction. DESIGN： Non-randomized current control study. SETTING： Cadre Medical Department, Guizhou Provincial People＇s Hospital. PARTICIPANTS： Forty elderly males （65-89 years old） with cerebral infarction were selected from Cadre Medical Department, Guizhou Provincial People＇s Hospital from February 2004 to December 2006. All patients met the diagnostic criteria of cerebral infarction modified at the 4th National Cerebrovascular Disease Academic Meeting, and were diagnosed on the basis of CT or MRI tests. Furthermore, 35 elderly male inpatients （65-87 years old） without cerebral infarction were selected as the control group. Included subjects provided confirmed consent and did not have heart disease, diabetes mellitus, lipid disorder, acute trauma, infection, rheumatism, or other inflammatory diseases. The study was approved by the local ethics committee. There were no significant differences in age, blood pressure, and lipid levels between the cerebral infarction group and the control group （P 〉 0.05）, and this suggested that the baseline data of both groups were comparable. METHODS： Fasting venous blood was drawn from cerebral infarction patients 24 hours after cerebral infarction attack and from control subjects 24 hours after hospitalization. A latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF- α in the serum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The levels of hs-CRP, 1L-6, and TNF- α in the serum in both groups. RESULTS： Forty cerebral infarction patients and thirty-five control subjects were included in the final analysis without any loss. Levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in the cerebral infarction group were significantly higher than those in the control group （P 〈 0.01 ）. CONCLUSION： Levels of serum inflammatory reactive factors are increased in elderly males with cerebral infarction.

Phthalates in Commercial Chinese Rice Wines: Concentrations and the Cumulative Risk Assessment to Adult Males in Shanghai

The concentrations of 16 phthalates in 164 commercial Chinese rice wines （CRW） were detected by GC-MS, and consumption data on CRW in different packaging types was investigated from 634 adult males in Shanghai using a food frequency questionnaire. Based on the prinq：iples of probabilistic modelling and cumulative risk assessment, the exposure and health risk of phthalates from CRW to adult males in Shanghai was evaluated. DMP, DEP, DIBP, DnBP, BBP, and DEHP were detected in the samples, thE： range of detection frequency of individual phthalates varied from 6.10% for BBP to 15.24% for DIBP, and the detected concentrations were 51.06-200.34 ng/mL. All the respondents consumed CRW, 90.69% of them consumed CRW 0.01-49.9 mL/d, the minimum value of the average daily intake of CRW was 6.25 mL/d, the median was 13.72 mL/d and the maximum was 300 mL/d. The median exposure level of the 6 detected Phthalates to adult males in Shanghai were 6.58-7.10 ng/（d.kg）, and the maximum exposure level were 137.38-540.47 ng/（d.kg）. The cumulative exposure health risk index （HI） based on the median and maximum exposure level of the 6 Phthalates （DMP, I~）EP, DIBP, DnBP, BBP, and DEHP） were 0.001147 ancl 0.063396, both were far less than 1. In conclusion, CRW were generally consumed by the adult males in Shanghai.

Psychological stress and long-term blood pressure variability of military young males:The cardiorespiratory fitness and hospitalization events in armed forces study

BACKGROUND Acute stress might increase short-term heart rate variability and blood pressure variability(BPV);however,chronic stress would not alter short-term BPV in animal models.AIM To examine the association of psychological stress with long-term BPV in young male humans.METHODS We prospectively examined the association of chronic psychological stress with long-term BPV in 1112 healthy military males,averaged 32.2 years from the cardiorespiratory fitness and hospitalization events in armed forces study in Taiwan.Psychological stress was quantitatively evaluated with the Brief Symptom Rating Scale(BSRS-5),from the least symptom of 0 to the most severe of 20,and the five components of anxiety,insomnia,depression,interpersonal sensitivity,and hostility(the severity score in each component from 0 to 4).Longterm BPV was assessed by standard deviation(SD)for systolic and diastolic blood pressure(SBP and DBP),and average real variability(ARV),defined as the average absolute difference between successive measurements of SBP or DBP,across four visits in the study period from 2012 to 2018(2012-14,2014-15,2015-16,and 2016-18).RESULTS The results of multivariable linear regressions showed that there were no correlations of the BSRS-5 score with SDSBP,SDDBP,ARVSBP,and ARVDBP after adjusting for all the covariates[β(SE):-0.022(0.024),-0.023(0.026),-0.001(0.018),and 0.001(0.020),respectively;P>0.05 for all].In addition,there were also no correlations between each component of the BSRS score and the long-term BPV indexes.CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that chronic psychological stress might not be associated with long-term BPV in military young male humans.

Complete rectal prolapse in young Egyptian males: Is schistosomiasis really condemned?

AIM To investigate the assumption that schistosomiasis is the main cause of rectal prolapse in young Egyptian males. METHODS Twenty-one male patients between ages of 18 and 50 years with complete rectal prolapse were included in the study out of a total 29 patients with rectal prolapse admitted for surgery at Colorectal Surgery Unit, Ain Shams University hospitals between the period of January 2011 and April 2014. Patients were asked to fill out a specifically designed questionnaire about duration of the prolapse, different bowel symptoms and any past or present history of schistosomiasis. Patients also underwent flexible sigmoidoscopy and four quadrant midrectal biopsies documenting any gross or microscopic rectal pathology. Data from questionnaire and pathology results were analyzed and patients were categorized according to their socioeconomic class.RESULTS Twelve patients(57%) never contracted schistosomiasis and were never susceptible to the disease, nine patients(43%) had history of the disease but were properly treated. None of the patients had gross rectal polypsand none of the patients had active schistosomiasis on histopathological examination. Fifteen patients(71%) had early onset prolapse that started in childhood, majority before the age of 5 years. Thirteen patients(62%) were habitual strainers, and four of them(19%) had straining dating since early childhood. Four patients(19%) stated that prolapse followed a period of straining that ranged between 8 mo and 2 years. Nine patients(43%) in the present study came from the low social class, 10 patients(48%) came from the working class and 2 patients(9%) came from the low middle social class. CONCLUSION Schistosomiasis should not be considered the main cause of rectal prolapse among young Egyptian males. Childhood prolapse that continues through adult life is likely involved. Childhood prolapse probably results from malnutrition, recurrent parasitic infections and diarrhea that induce straining and prolapse, all are common in lower socioeconomic classes.

Medical management of erectile dysfunction in aging males： is it too late to treat？

Erectile dysfunction （ED） is a common disorder among aging males. However, most aging males refuse to seek medical help and believe that ED is an irreversible event in the aging process. The purpose of this study was to describe the current medical management of ED in aging males and to examine whether it is too late to treat this disorder in these elderly men. From 2007 to 2008, 4507 patients diagnosed with ED were gathered from 46 centers in China; 4241 completed the study, 3837 of whom were treated with sildenafil. The 3837 patients were divided into five groups based on age （group A： 20-30 years; group B： 31-40 years; group C： 41-50 years; group D： 51-60 years; and group E： 〉60 years）. After comparing pre- and posttreatment International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function domain （IIEF-EF） questionnaires, Erection Hardness Scale （EHS）, and IIEF Q13 （＂How satisfied have you been with your overall sex life？＂）, we discovered that the aging males had worse erectile function, erection hardness, and sexual satisfaction than the younger males （P〈 0.001）. After treatment, the improvement rates in the IIEF-EF, EHS, and IIEF Q13 scores were 107.0%, 83.1%, and 116.5%, respectively. The magnitude of these changes demonstrated significant differences among groups （P 〈 0.001）. Accordingly, aging males are likely to benefit more from medical treatment. We propose that aging males should be informed that age is not a limiting factor for medical ED management, and it is never too late to treat.

Ultrastructure of multicellular dwarf males with external gametangium in Oedogonium macrandrium(Oedogoniales,Chlorophyta)

This is the first comprehensive ultrastructural study on dwarf males with external gametangia in the ge in the genus Oedogonium,from androspore germination to the liberation of mature male gametes.The ultrastructure of the process in O.macrandrium Wittrok is similar to that of Bulbochaete hiloensis(Nordstedt)Tiffany,butwith two remarkable differences.In O.macrandrium:(1)instead of a true transverse wall,only condensed mucilage appears between the gametes of each antheridial cell,and (2)the cell wall between the basal cell and the basal most antheridial cell has simple plasmodesmata similar to those present in the transverse walls of vegetative cells,which are absent in B.hiloensis.

Developmental assets and age of first sexual intercourse among adolescent African American males in Mobile, Alabama

Background and Aims: Younger age at first sexual intercourse is associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes. We aimed to gain a clearer understanding of a wide range of individual, family and social factors that may influence sexual behavior of children and adolescents. Specifically, we examined the relationships of developmental assets with age of first sexual intercourse among a large sample (n = 1061) of adolescent African American males living in low-income neighborhoods in Mobile, Alabama. Methods: Using the Developmental Asset Model as a theoretical guide, we selected variables from adolescent survey data and conducted logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of early age of first sexual intercourse. Results: Nearly one half (49%) of the male survey participants reported that they first had sexual intercourse at the age of 12 or younger. The total number of assets was the strongest predictor of later age (13 years old or later) of first sexual intercourse (OR 1.49, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.04), followed by decision-making skills (OR 1.40, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.86), and positive view of the future (OR 1.36, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.74). Conclusion: There are several developmental assets related to the age of first sexual intercourse. This study found support for the Developmental Asset Model as a framework for promoting sexual and overall adolescent health. Recommendations for asset-building among this population are discussed.

Comment on ‘Histological Subtypes of Lung Cancer in Chinese Males from 2000 to 2012'

Mortality from lung cancer has dramatically increased in China over the past 4 decades and investigations into its attributing factors should be designated as one of the highest priorities for its prevention and control. It has been shown that different environmental carcinogens have different particular carcinogenesis pathways in humans, resulting in different kinds of cancer or its histological subtypes in various target organs. Although the distribution of lung cancer is changing in many countries, no papers on its epidemiology in China are available. In the present study, 15 427 male lung cancer patients were identified in Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medial Colleg （CHCAMS-PUMC）. The number of lung cancer patients increased between 2000 and 2012 （Zou et al., Table I）, while the relative frequency of squamous cell carcinoma, a pathological sub-type of lung cancer, consistently decreased, especially in those born after 1961 （Zou et al, Figure 2）. On the other hand, the relative frequency of adenocarcinoma, a pathological sub-type of lung cancer, dramatically increased （Zou et al., Figure 2）. Adenocarcinoma has become the major histological sub-type of lung cancer in the 2011-2012 period （Zou et al., Table 3）. These findings provide important information and clues for the etiology of lung cancer and this specific field needs to be further studied.

Relationship between Dermal Structural Changes on Ultrasonographic Images and Skin Viscoelasticity in Overweight and Obese Japanese Males

It has been reported that overweight Japanese males have poorly organised dermis and their skin may be fragile to external forces because of decreased dermal echogenicity. However, it is unknown whether the changes in the dermal structure actually affect the dermal function. The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship between dermal structural parameters and dermal functional parameters in overweight and obese Japanese males. A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted on Japanese male volunteers. Two ultrasound scanners, a 20-MHz Dermascan C® and an 18-MHz MylabTM five® were used to evaluate dermal structure. Echogenicity of the lower dermis and dermal thickness of the participants’ abdomens and thighs were measured. A Cutometer® MPA580 was used to evaluate skin viscoelasticity, skin deformation (R0) and elasticity (R2, R7). The correlation between dermal structural parameters and skin viscoelasticity were validated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient or Spearman’s correlation coefficient by rank test. A total of 79 male volunteers were recruited of which 43 were control subjects with BMI <25 (age, 22 - 63 years), 25 were overweight subjects with BMI ≥ 25 to <30 (age, 23 - 64 years) and the 11 obese subjects had a BMI ≥ 30 (age, 26 - 47 years). There was no correlation between dermal structural parameters and skin viscoelasticity in the abdomens or thighs of all 79 participants. On the other hand, in the 36 overweight and obese participants, thigh dermal echogenicity was significantly and negatively correlated with R0 (r = -0.456, p < 0.01) and dermal thickness in the abdomen was significantly and positively correlated with R0 (r = 0.464, p < 0.01). The dermal functional parameter was significantly correlated with dermal structural parameters in overweight and obese males;in other words, a decrease in dermal function may be caused by structural changes in the dermis during obesity.

Breast Cancer in Males (BCM), Does It Really Differ? National Cancer Institute Experience (NCI), Cairo University, Egypt

Background: Carcinoma of the male breast is relatively a rare disease accounting for about 1% of all cancer in men. Its treatments are based mainly on those of Female Breast Cancer (BCF). Materials and Methods: This is a single institution retrospective study including all presenting to the NCI, Cairo University with Breast Cancer in a Male (BCM) in the last 11 years between Jan. 2005 until Jan. 2016. Data were collected from patient’s files from the statistical department then analyzed. Aims: To study the clinico-pathological characteristics, the presentation, workup, surgical approaches and postoperative complications and outcome of management, with addressing similarities and difference from BCF. Results: 64 patients were included in this cohort. The mean age was 58.6 & the median age was 59 years (range: 31 - 87 years). The main presenting symptomatology was retroareolar breast lump (50 cases, 78.1%). Most of our cases were advanced;22 cases (34.3%) were stage III & 16 cases (25%) were stage IV. Surgery was performed for 50 patients;MRM for 26 cases (40.6%), RM for 18 cases (28.1%) & toilet mastectomy for 6 cases (9.3%). Primary closure was feasible in 34 patients (68%) while 16 cases (32%) required reconstruction by local or pedicled flaps. Tamoxifen is the most important non-surgical treatment. It was given to all our cases (64 cases, 100%) either postoperatively as adjuvant management (36 cases, 56.2%) or as palliation for metastatic disease (28 cases, 43.8%). Chemotherapy was given to 32 patients (100%) as an adjuvant for 24 cases (75%) and as a palliation for 8 cases (25%). Radiotherapy was given to 26 patients (100%) as adjuvant therapy for 20 cases (76.9%) and as a palliation for 6 cases (23.1%). The only significant factor determining the overall 5 years survival was the stage of the disease. LN status & surgery type were of border line significance (better survival with negative LN & with MRM). The 5-year Overall Survival (OS) & Disease Free Survival (DFS) for the whole group were 66% & 52% respectively. Within the DFS there was no significant variable;however, the stage and type of surgery were of borderline significance, with better survival with early stage disease (I & II) and with MRM (both were 61%). Conclusion: BCM has many similarities to BCF, but it harbours many different genetic and pathologic features. They obtain similar prognostic factors and similar stage-for-stage survival. They are always advanced to T4 stage rapidly due to the lack of breast parenchyma with higher ER expression in BCM than BCF patients.

Effect of felodipine in combined with irbesartan on the blood uric acid,serum adiponectin,and renal function in young males with essential hypertension

Objective: To explore the effect of felodipine in combined with irbesartan on the blood uric acid (UA);serum adiponectin (APN);and renal function in young males with essential hypertension (EH). Methods: A total of 134 young male patients with EH who were admitted in our hospital from January;2016 to January;2017 were included in the study and randomized into the observation group and the control group. The patients in the control group were given felodipine sustanined release tablets;5 mg/time;1 time/d. On this basis;the patients in the observation group were given irbesartan;150 mg/time;1 time/d. To those whose blood pressure was not reduced under 140/90 mmHg after 4 week treatment;the dose of felodipine sustanined release tablets was increased to 10 mg/d. A maintenance dose was adopted according to the individual conditions until the ideal blood pressure reduction effect was achieved. The morning fasting venous blood was collected before treatment;4 and 12 weeks after treatment in the two groups. ELISA was used to detect APN level. Uricase-peroxide enzymic method was used to detect UA level. The full automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect BUN and Scr. Ccr was calculated. Urine was collected. RIA was used to detect 24 h Upro. The morning fasting venous blood before treatment;24 and 48 weeks after treatment was collected. RIA was used to detect the serum T and SHBG levels. Results: Scr and 24 h Upro 4 and 12 weeks after treatment in the two groups were gradually reduced;while Ccr was gradually elevated. BUN 12 weeks after treatment in the observation group was significantly reduced. Scr and 24 h Upro 4 and 12 weeks after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group;while Ccr was significantly higher than that in the control group. BUNS 12 weeks after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group. T level 24 and 48 weeks after treatment in the two groups was significantly elevated;while SHBG after treatment was not significantly changed. T level 24 and 48 weeks after treatment in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group. APN 4 and 12 weeks after treatment in the two groups was significantly elevated;while UA was significantly reduced. APN 4 and 12 weeks after treatment in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group;while UA was significantly lower than that in the control group. Conclusions: Felodipine in combined with irbesartan in the treatment of EH in young males can effectively regulate APN and UA levels;protect the renal function;enhance the sex hormone levels;and has a great significance in reducing the target organ damage and improving the prognosis.

Estrogens in males: what have we learned in the last 10 years?

This review focuses on the role of estrogen in men, mainly in male reproduction. The continuing increase in data obtained, and recent discoveries in this area will enable a better understanding of male physiology; these, in turn, will have important clinical implications.

PCR analysis of Yq microdeletions in infertile males, a study from South India

AIM: To estimate the frequency of microdeletions in the long arm of Y-chromosome of 20 infertile males from South India. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using Y-specific STS of azoospermia factor (AZF) regions i.e., SY 84 for AZFa, SY 127 for AZFb and SY 254 for AZFc. RESULTS: Of the 20 infertile subjects 3 (15 %), one azoospermic and two oligozoospermic, showed microdeletions in the AZF region of Y-chromosome. CONCLUSION: The frequency of deletions involving AZF region of the Y-chromosome is 15 % in azoospermic and severely oligozoospermic infertile men. PCR amplification of AZF locus is useful for the diagnosis of microdeletions in the Y-chromosome.

Decline of semen quality among 10 932 males consulting for couple infertility over a 20-year period in Marseille, France

Semen from 10 932 male partners of infertile couples was analysed and sperm parameter trends were evaluated at the Reproduction Biology Laboratory of the University Hospital of Marseille （France） between 1988 and 2007. After 3-6 days of abstinence, semen samples were collected. Measurements of seminal fluid volume, pH, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and detailed morphology of spermatozoa were performed. Sperm parameters were analysed on the entire population and in men with normal total numeration （ 〉~ 40 million per ejaculate）. The whole population demonstrated declining trends in sperm concentration （1.5% per year）, total sperm count （1.6% per year）, total motility （0.4% per year）, rapid motility （5.5% per year） and normal morphology （2.2% per year）. In the group of selected samples with total normal sperm count, the same trends of sperm quality deterioration with time were observed. Our results clearly indicate that the auality of semen decreased in this population over the study period.