Environmental, occupational and lifestyle factors: An impact on male fertility

The crucial role of occupational, environmental and lifestyle factors are the means of life that can affect the health and welfare of human being, including fertility. Study is therefore designed to identify the roles that environmental, occupational and lifestyle factors play in determining reproductive status of middle age male partner. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 45 male cases (age 31-56) and 35 males controls age 16-30 years). Both study subjects and controls were taken from mountainous area. Detailed characteristics of both groups are noted. Levels of blood sugar, total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone (BAT) and its carrier were estimated by ELISA. Mean age of study subject was 43.6 and of control was 23.0 with normal BMI. Both groups living in mountainous area with profession of farming showed their active life style. Multi-parity is common. Both groups used bland diet and raw vegetables. Levels of fasting blood sugar, free testosterone and BAT were non-significantly low in study groups compared to these values of controls. However the values of total testosterone and its binding protein SHBG were non-significantly increased in study subjects in comparison to the values of controls. Study found good rate of fertility, because of pollution free environment, stress free profession and active life style. Increase age is not related with infertility. Impact of these factors is vital among the partners looking for conception.