Determinants of spermatogenesis recovery among workers exposed to 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · JOM, Journal of Occupational Medicine; (USA)

OSTI ID:6208198

Olsen, G W; Lanham, J M; Bodner, K M; Hylton, D B; Bond, G G ^[1]

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1. Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI (USA)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of spermatogenesis recovery among 30 azoospermic and 17 oligospermic workers who had a maximum of 18 months of exposure to 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane during 1976 to 1977. A maximum of 11 years of follow-up data were examined. Of the 26 azoospermic subjects who voluntarily participated in follow-up, 19 (73.0%) showed evidence of spermatogenesis recovery. Thirteen azoospermic subjects recovered to normospermic levels; however, their mean most recent sperm count (44.4 million/mL) was significantly lower (P less than .01) than the mean (88.8 million/mL) of the 17 oligospermic subjects who recovered to normospermic levels. The lack of spermatogenesis recovery was definitively shown to be job (drumming and canning) and, possibly, age related. Duration of exposure and the initial 1977 categorization of exposure (high, moderate, and low) were not predictive of recovery. Testicular atrophy was observed with azoospermia, and the testicles subsequently increased in size among those azoospermic subjects who returned to normospermic levels. The follicle-stimulating hormone level in 1977 was significantly associated with azoospermia as well as the likelihood of return to normospermia among the azoospermic subjects.

• OSTI ID: 6208198
• Journal Information: JOM, Journal of Occupational Medicine; (USA), Journal Name: JOM, Journal of Occupational Medicine; (USA) Vol. 32:10; ISSN 0096-1736; ISSN JJOMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
FSH
GAMETES
GAMETOGENESIS
GERM CELLS
GONADOTROPINS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HORMONES
INDUSTRY
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PERSONNEL
PITUITARY HORMONES
SENSITIVITY
SPERMATOGENESIS
SPERMATOZOA