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Related Concept Videos

Infertility in Males01:23

Infertility in Males

Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...
Sperm Structure and Semen Composition01:22

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes
08:58

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Published on: November 28, 2018

Do perfluoroalkyl compounds impair human semen quality?

Ulla Nordström Joensen1, Rossana Bossi, Henrik Leffers

  • 1University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. ulla.nordstroem.joensen@rh.regionh.dk

Environmental Health Perspectives
|July 11, 2009
PubMed
Summary

High levels of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in young Danish men were linked to significantly fewer normal sperm. These findings suggest PFAAs may contribute to reduced semen quality in the general population.

Keywords:
PFAAPFCendocrine disruptorsmale reproductive healthperfluoroalkyl compoundssemen qualitysperm morphologytestosterone

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Published on: April 18, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants found in wildlife and humans.
  • PFAAs are suspected endocrine disruptors, but their impact on male reproductive health in Denmark is unstudied.
  • No prior research has reported PFAA levels in Danish men or their association with semen quality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between PFAA exposure and testicular function in young Danish men.
  • To determine if higher PFAA levels correlate with reduced semen quality and altered reproductive hormone levels.
  • To explore the potential contribution of PFAAs to male infertility.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples from 105 Danish men (median age 19) were analyzed for 10 PFAAs and reproductive hormones.
  • Semen quality parameters, including sperm count and morphology, were assessed.
  • Statistical analyses were performed to correlate PFAA levels with reproductive health markers.

Main Results:

  • Significant levels of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid were detected in all participants.
  • Men with high combined PFOS and PFOA levels exhibited significantly lower counts of normal spermatozoa (6.2 million) compared to those with low levels (15.5 million).
  • Trends indicated lower sperm concentration, total sperm counts, and altered pituitary-gonadal hormones with elevated PFOS-PFOA levels, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated PFAA levels are associated with a reduction in normal sperm count among young men.
  • High PFAA exposure may be a contributing factor to the prevalent issue of low semen quality in young men.
  • Further research in larger cohorts is necessary to confirm these findings and elucidate the mechanisms involved.