Spermatogenesis Alteration During Protracted Irradiation in Man

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Abstract
A total of 72 persons with long-term occupational exposure to ionizing radiations were subjected to an andrologic examination including semen analyses. The investigated subjects had not had any gonadic disease or other diseases which could induce spermatogenesis troubles. Semen specimens were compared with those of 42 controls of a similar mean age. The examination of spermatic liquid revealed hypospermia in 45.8%, asthenospermia in 68% and teratospermia in 75% of the investigated subjects. The incidence of these spermatogenesis alterations significantly differed from those of the controls. Parvisemia was not different between the exposed and control group even at a 5% threshold. Using the present day accepted criteria for defining hypofertility and infertility, there are significant differences between the exposed and control groups as regards the incidence of hypofertility and infertility (P < 0.05). The spermatogenesis alterations-especially hypospermia and teratospermia-noticed in protracted irradiation can account for lowering of fertility of men occupationally exposed to ionizing radiations, previously proved by epidemiologic researches carried out in various countries. As semen of poor quality is known to be associated with spontaneous abortions and stillbirths, and because these were also more frequently found in families of men occupationally exposed to ionizing radiations, our data bring supplementary and direct evidence in favour of a relationship between these dominant lethalities and long-term exposure to ionizing radiations.

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