Men born in the region of Leipzig (Saxony, Germany) between 1960 and 1970 showed a significantly decreased sperm count (examination of 3432 individuals)
Abstract
Summary. The routine spermiogram parameters of 3432 patients born between 1952 and 1971 in the region of Leipzig were determined between January 1975 and March 2000. The patient group aged 24–35 years was characterized by low mobility and relocation living in the main centre of chemical industry with enormous environmental pollution in Eastern Germany up to 1990. Sperm concentrations and total sperm counts were found to be significantly reduced in men born between 1960 and 1970 compared with men born before this period (52.38 ±1.21 versus 70.79 ±2.15 millions ml−1; 139.51 ± 3.66 versus 176.31 ± 6.04 millions; mean ± SEM; P <0.01; 2410 versus 1022 patients) independently of the year of semen examination.
