Principal Investigator
Prof. Nicola Cherry
University of Manchester – School of Epidemiology
Stopford Building
Oxford Road
UK – M13 9PT Manchester
Tel: +44 161 275 5522
Fax: +44 161 275 5595
Prof. Harry Moore
University of Sheffield
Reproductive and Development Medicine
Jessop Wing
UK – S10 2SF Sheffield
h.d.moore@sheffield.ac.uk
Tel: +44 114 2268344
Fax: +44 117 2261074
Collaborators
Gary Burgess, garyburgess@man.ac.uk
Roseanne McNamee, rmcnamee@fsl.ser.man.ac.uk
Allan Pacey, a.pacey@shef.c.uk
Andrew Povey, apovey@man.ac.uk
Description
The research institutes will study 6000 men attending any of the 10 fertility clinics in the UK over a period of 2 years. They will be classified as either fertile or infertile on the basis of sperm parameters. Standardised methods will be used to analyse sperm. Information on possible exposures to suspected endocrine disrupters in utero through maternal employment or diet and currently to phytoestrogens will be assessed by questionnaire. Biological samples will be stored to permit later assessment of specified chemical substances should this appear to be justified. Using the subset of men whose partners are diagnosed as having tubular occlusion, unbiased estimates will be made of sperm counts in the catchment area of the fertility clinic. Geographical differences in sperm count will be examined and baselines for future studies established.
Related Publications
N Cherry, H Moore, R McNamee, A Pacey, G Burgess, JA Clyma, M Dippnall, H Baillie, A Povey. Occupation and male infertility: glycol ethers and other exposures. Occup Environ Med. 2008 Oct;65(10):708-14.
