Humans ; Male ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Occupational Exposure ; Radar ; Reproductive Health ; Ships

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of radar radiation on sperm quality.

METHODSA total of 348 infertile seamen were divided into 4 experimental groups according to their different lengths of exposure to radar radiation: Group 1 (n = 128) exposed for 12-36 months, Group 2 (n = 58) 37-72 m, Group 3 (n = 47) 73-108 m, Group 4 (n = 19) 109 m or more and Group 5 (n = 96) 48 m or more but free from the exposure for 6 months by then. Another 35 non-marine normal males were recruited as Control Group 1, and the first four experimental groups (n = 252) were taken as Control Group 2. Semen samples were collected from the subjects and analyzed statistically.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the percentage of grade a sperm were significantly lower (P < 0.01), and the percentages of grade d and abnormal sperm significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the experimental groups. In Group 5, obvious recovery was noted in sperm morphology (P < 0.01) and motility (P < 0.05), but significant differences were seen with the normal control group in sperm concentration (P < 0.05), sperm motility and the percentage of grade a and b sperm and that of abnormal sperm (P < 0. 01).

CONCLUSIONRadar radiation damages sperm quality, as shown in the reduction of sperm motility and elevation of sperm abnormality. Cease from the exposure may effect an easy recovery in sperm morphology.

Adult ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; physiopathology ; Male ; Microwaves ; Middle Aged ; Naval Medicine ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Radar ; Semen ; cytology ; radiation effects ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; physiology ; radiation effects