P-59: Investigation of Simultaneous Exposure to Noise and Formaldehyde Vapor on Mouse Reproductive Function

Background: Formaldehyde (FA) is a member of aldehyde family with a simplest organic molecule, used in various industries. Since there is simultaneous exposure of formaldehyde and noise for workers in most of the workplaces and that noise can reinforce the harmful effects of some chemical pollutants. This study aimed to investigate the effects of simultaneous formaldehyde and noise exposure on the reproductive parameters in male mice. Materials and Methods: Forty eight NMRI adult male mice were randomly assigned to control group and experimental groups which were exposed to formaldehyde (10 ppm) (F), noise (100 dB)(N), and simultaneous formaldehyde with noise(NF), respectively for 10 days (8 hours a day). Animals were killed 24 hours following exposure (short-term effects) and reminders were killed 35 days after the end of exposure (long-term effects). Sperm analyzed by computer aided sperm analysis and plasma concentrations of testosterone, LH, FSH were measured by using the ELISA method. Results: The results of short-term analysis showed that the serum testosterone in all exposure groups were decreased significantly compared to the control (p<0.001). The LH level in groups F and NF also showed significant reduction compared to controls (p<0.05 and p<0.001). In long-term analysis, the percentages of progressive motile sperm groups N, F, and NF were 33.73 ± 3.4, 26.65 ± 1.61 and 14.78 ± 4.65, respectively which had a significant decrease (p<0.05) compared to control group (44.47 ± 2.88). The progressive motile sperm in simultaneous exposure group was less than N and F groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Exposure to formaldehyde vapor can decrease percentages of sperm count and progressive motility. The present study indicated that reduction of sperm progressive motility may be potentiated by noise in the simultaneous exposure to formaldehyde and noise. Thus, it can be anticipated that simultaneous exposure to formaldehyde and noise in workplaces can increase the possibility of damage to the pituitary-Testes Axis and reproductive functions in male mice.