Lifestyle and Occupational Determinants of Semen Quality in Men Attending an Infertility Clinic: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Male infertility contributes to nearly 50% of infertility cases worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that modifiable occupational and lifestyle factors may adversely affect semen quality. Aim: To evaluate associations between semen parameters and various lifestyle factors among men presenting to an infertility clinic in India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the infertility clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at SBKS Medical Institute and Research Centre, Vadodara, a tertiary care hospital in India, from January 2024 to April 2025. A total of 110 male partners of infertile couples were included. After obtaining informed consent, a detailed history was recorded, including occupation, exposure to heat or chemicals, cell phone usage and addictions (smoking, alcohol). Semen analyses were performed according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2021 criteria. Semen samples were categorised as normal or abnormal based on sperm count, motility and morphology. Statistical analyses included the Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of abnormal semen parameters. Results: The mean age of the participants was 33.4±5.7 years. A total of 38 (34.5%) were smokers, 44 (40.0%) reported regular alcohol consumption and 69 (62.7%) reported cell phone use >2 hours/day. A total of 26 (23.6%) had exposure to heat, while 15 (13.6%) had exposure to harmful chemicals and 54 (49.1%) had a sedentary occupation. Of the 110 participants, 67 (60.9%) had at least one abnormal semen parameter. Abnormal semen quality was significantly associated with smoking (OR 2.9, p=0.031), daily cell phone usage >2 hours (OR 3.7, p=0.001), occupational heat exposure (OR 4.6, p=0.003) and chemical exposure (OR 5.9, p<0.001). Alcohol use and sedentary occupation were not independently associated with abnormal semen quality. Conclusion: The present study highlights significant associations between semen abnormalities and modifiable factors such as smoking, prolonged cell phone use and occupational exposures. Addressing these risk factors through lifestyle counselling and workplace interventions may improve male reproductive health outcomes.