Ozone Decreases Sperm Quality In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Introduction: Impairment of sperm quality may be caused by disease activity and treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Exposure to air pollution has been reported to affect fertility in healthy men, particularly sperm quality however this issue was not studied in SLE population. The aim of this study was to investigate the deleterious effects of air pollutants exposure in the Sao Paulo metropolitan region on semen quality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: In a seven-years longitudinal panel study, we obtained two semen samples from 28 post-pubertal SLE patients. Daily concentrations of inhaled particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and meteorological variables were evaluated on 90 days before each semen collection dates using generalized estimating equation models. Results: Ozone had an association with a decrease in sperm quality of SLE patients. The most relevant adverse effects were observed from lags 80 to 88, when the exposure to...