The Impact of High Ambient Temperature on Human Sperm Parameters: A Meta-Analysis

Ai-Phuong Hoang-Thi; Anh-Thu  Dang-Thi; Sang  Phan-Van; Thong  Nguyen-Ba; Phuong-Lan  Truong-Thi; Tam   Le-Minh; Quoc-Huy  Nguyen-Vu; Tung  Nguyen-Thanh

doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i4.9232

Ai-Phuong Hoang-Thi Faculty of Basic Science, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 49000, Vietnam
Anh-Thu Dang-Thi Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 49000, Vietnam
Sang Phan-Van Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 49000, Vietnam
Thong Nguyen-Ba Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, The University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Ha-waii, HI 96813, USA
Phuong-Lan Truong-Thi Faculty of Basic Science, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 49000, Vietnam
Tam Le-Minh Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 49000, Vietnam
Quoc-Huy Nguyen-Vu Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 49000, Vietnam
Tung Nguyen-Thanh Faculty of Basic Science, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 49000, Vietnam

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v51i4.9232

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Global warming; Temperature; Heat stress; Semen; Spermatogenesis

Abstract

Background: Global warming, lifestyle, or working in a high temperature environment leads to have increased health risk factors. This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the impact of high ambient temperature on male reproductive function.

Methods: Scientific articles were screened in the database including MEDLINE, EMBASE, National center for biotechnology information (NCBI) or Web of Science with relating keywords. Impact data of high ambient temperature on semen parameters were extracted and analyzed by STATA software according to the Random Effects Model. The high ambient temperature exposure group and Non-exposure group were compared using the standard mean difference (SMD). Publications were evaluated for publication bias by Egger test.

Results: Nine articles were finally selected from databases examining the effect of high ambient temperature on male reproductive health of 356 men from Iran, Italy, Thailand, China, Egypt. High ambient temperature showed a significant decrease in the seminal parameters, semen volume during each ejaculation (SMD = -0.74; 95% CI -1.11, -0.36), sperm concentration (SMD = -1.07; 95% CI -1.42, -0.72), total sperm count (SMD = -1.52; 95% CI -2.96, -0.08), sperm motility (SMD = -1.93; 95% CI -2.83, -1.04), sperm progressive motility (SMD = -1.65; 95% CI -2.39, -0.91) and normal morphology (SMD = -2.41; 95% CI -3.30, -1.52).

Conclusion: High ambient temperature negatively affects sperm quality, including decreased semen volume, sperm count, sperm concentration, motility and normal morphology. This might lead to protective strategies to avoid the adverse effects of high ambient temperature on male fertility.