Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2016

DOI

10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00598

Publication Title

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

Volume

29

Issue

6

Pages

915-926

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess sperm quality and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity of coke oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as compared to control subjects. Material and Methods: The coke oven workers (N = 52) and administrative staff (N = 35) of a steel plant served as the exposed and control groups, respectively. Exposure to PAHs was assessed by measuring 1-hydroxypyren. Analysis of sperm quality (concentration, motility, vitality, and morphology) was performed simultaneously with sperm DNA integrity analysis, including DNA fragmentation, denaturation, bulky DNA adducts, and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGuo). A questionnaire was conducted to collect demographic and potential confounding data. Results: The coke oven workers had lower percentages of sperm motility, vitality and normal morphology than the control group, but the difference was not significant. For DNA integrity, the coke oven workers had significantly higher concentrations of bulky DNA adducts and 8-oxo-dGuo than the control subjects (p = 0.009 and p = 0.048, respectively). However, DNA fragmentation percentages did not significantly increase as compared to those in the subjects from the control group (p = 0.232). There was no correlation between sperm quality parameters and DNA integrity indicators. Conclusions: Occupational exposure of the coke oven workers to PAHs was associated with decreased sperm DNA integrity.

Original Publication Citation

Jeng, H. A., Pan, C. H., Chao, M. R., Chiu, C. C., Zhou, G. D., Chou, C. K., & Lin, W. Y. (2016). Sperm quality and DNA integrity of coke oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 29(6), 915-926. doi: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00598

Share

COinS