Data from several sources supports a link between changing environmental exposures and decreased male reproductive function, including a reported world-wide decline in semen quality over the past fifty years. To clearly identify real geographic and temporal differences in semen quality, studies with carefully controlled semen collection and analysis protocols, population selection, and control of confounding must first carried out. This study is a multi-center study of semen and serum biomarkers of male reproductive function in partners of pregnant women recruited from four urban US centers. The primary aim of this study is to estimate geographic variability of semen parameters. Secondary aims are to study the geographic variability of serum reproductive hormones, testicular and other physical abnormalities, and the relationships between those outcomes and semen quality. We propose to utilize the GCRC for outpatient visits during which male subjects would undergo a physical exam, provide blood and semen samples (visit 1) and a second semen sample (visit 2) and both partners would complete a study questionnaire (visit 1).
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