Meta-Analysis Reveals the Association Between Male Occupational Exposure to Solvents and Impairment of Semen Parameters

Oana Ianos (1, 2) , Irène Sari-Minodier (3, 4) , Virginie Villes (5, 6) , Marie-Pascale Lehucher-Michel (4, 6) , Anderson Loundou (7, 6) , Jeanne Perrin (3, 2)

1 AMU MED - Aix-Marseille Université - Faculté de médecine
2 Centre Clinico-Biologique d’Assistance Médicale à la Procréation - CECOS [Hôpital de la Conception - APHM]
3 IMBE - Institut méditerranéen de biodiversité et d'écologie marine et continentale
4 Service de Médecine et Santé au Travail - AP-HM - La Timone,
5 Epidémiologie et Sciences Sociales Appliquées à l'Innovation Médicale
6 CEReSS - Centre d'études et de recherche sur les services de santé et la qualité de vie
7 Unité d'Aide Méthodologique

Objectives: Solvent exposure is among the most common occupational exposures to chemical toxicants; data about the impact of such exposure on semen parameters are contradictory. We conducted the first meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of alteration in semen parameters related to occupational exposure to solvents. Methods: From the PubMed database, we selected studies analyzing the semen of subjects occupationally exposed to solvents, compared with unexposed controls. The meta-analysis was performed on the various semen parameters analyzed in both populations. Results: Seven studies were included in the study. The meta-analysis revealed a significant decrease in ejaculate volume [standardized mean difference (SMD) ¼ À0.35 (À0.63 to À0.07)] and sperm concentration [SMD ¼ À0.36 (À0.64 to À0.08)] in workers exposed to solvents compared with unexposed controls. Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of preventing reprotoxic risks to male fertility in the workplace.

Keywords: N; Male fertility; Nerchlorethylene; N-dimethylformamide; Glycol ethers; Carbon disulfide; Aromatic hydrocarbons

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Reproductive Biology; Sexual reproduction; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Development Biology; Gametogenesis; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Cancer; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Ecology, environment; Health; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Toxicology; Ecotoxicology; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Human health and pathology; Gynecology and obstetrics; Environmental Sciences; Environmental and Society

Oana Ianos, Irène Sari-Minodier, Virginie Villes, Marie-Pascale Lehucher-Michel, Anderson Loundou, et al.. Meta-Analysis Reveals the Association Between Male Occupational Exposure to Solvents and Impairment of Semen Parameters. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2018, 60 (10), pp.e533-e542. ⟨10.1097/JOM.0000000000001422⟩. ⟨hal-02044732⟩