Evaluation of quality of semen in male partner of infertile couple exposed to welding fumes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Exposure to high temperatures at the workplace can leads to deterioration of sperm concentration, morphology and impaired motility which may result in infertility. That’s why present study was planned to investigate the sperm quality among welders exposed to welding fumes. Material and Methods: Seventy male partners in between age group of 20 to 40 years of infertile couple attending infertility laboratory including 35 as exposed to welding fumes and 35 as control were included in this case control prospective study. Semen samples were analyzed for sperm concentration, sperm motility, morphology and Hypo Osmotic swelling (HOS) test. Results: Mean sperm concentration and percentage of sperms motility were significantly higher in control group in comparison to exposed group (p<0.01). Grade III motility was predominant among exposed group while it was grade II in control group. Deterioration of sperm morphology was observed in some welders with less than thirty percent normal sperm count. Thirty cases from exposed group showed less than 60% HOS score. In control group, 31 cases showed HOS positive score (P<0.01). Conclusion: Welding can produce adverse impacts on sperm concentration, motility and morphology which might be responsible for infertility.