Semen quality in Greenland

Abstract

Objectives. To quantify semen quality in the Greenlandic population. Study design. A cross-sectional study including recently proven fertile men from four regions including nine municipalities and one settlement in Greenland. Methods. The samples were analysed for sperm cell concentrations and motility using standard Methods. Results. In total 201 semen samples were collected. The median sperm cell concentration of fertile men in Greenland was 53 x106 sperm cells/ml, with a median sperm cell volume of 3.2 ml, a total sperm count of 185.6 x106 sperm cells and a median motility of 60 %. Regionally there were no statistical significant difference in sperm counts, but the sperm cell motility differed among regions, with the lowest sperm cell motility found in semen samples collected on the east coast. Overall sperm cell concentration and total sperm count in Greenland seems to be in the lower range compared to studies from Europe, USA and Japan. Conclusion. Within Greenland the sperm cell concentration appears to be similar in different regions, but sperm cell motility tends to be lower in men from the east coast. This may be related to the higher organochlorine exposure level previously demonstrated in this population.

Key Words:

• Sperm count
• Greenland
• biopersistent organochlorines
• PCB
• DDE