OBJECTIVETo investigate whether long working in the high-altitude area can damage sperm DNA in men.

METHODSWe enlisted 51 service men stationed on the plateau in an observation group and another 53 living in the low-altitude area in a control group. We detected and compared the damages to sperm DNA in the semen samples from the two groups using single cell gel electrophoresis and the sperm chromatin dispersion test.

RESULTSThe percentages of total, G1, G2 and G3 comet cells and abnormal sperm of the observation group were (5.56 +/- 3.98)%, (3.72 +/- 1.85)%, (1.57 +/- 1.07)%, (0.27 +/- 0.34)% and (16.59 +/- 12.07)%, respectively, before stationed on the plateau, but significantly increased at 6 months of plateau life ([11.15 +/- 8.59]%, [5.97 +/- 3.26]%, [3.83 +/- 2.13%, [1.35 +/- 1.53]% and [22.03 +/- 15.33]%, P<0.05). The percentages of G2 comet cells and abnormal sperm were decreased to (3.32 +/- 1.83)% and (20.54 +/- 15.52)% at 12 months, but still significantly higher than the baseline (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLong working on the plateau may damage sperm DNA, but its influence on male fertility deserves further investigation. Therefore, it is important to reinforce reproductive health protection for males working on the plateau.