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Samir AM, Korany AM, Foaad H, Manawil M. Male reproductive hormone disorders among copper smelter workers. Toxicol Ind Health 2024; 40:52-58. [PMID: 37983667 DOI: 10.1177/07482337231215864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Male workers in copper smelting are exposed to copper, lead, and arsenic. This study aimed to assess the effects of combined exposure to these metals on male reproductive hormone levels and assesses malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidative stress parameter. The study was conducted on 40 copper smelter workers compared with 40 non-exposed workers. Laboratory investigations included levels of serum copper, blood lead, serum arsenic, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and MDA. Levels of copper, arsenic, lead, FSH, and LH were significantly increased compared to controls. However, a statistically significant decrease in the mean value of testosterone was found among exposed workers. Positive correlations between serum copper and both serum FSH and MDA levels were statistically significant as were correlations between serum arsenic and MDA levels. Testosterone levels showed significant negative correlations with both copper and arsenic among exposed workers. A linear regression model of copper, arsenic, and lead levels as independent variables with FSH, LH, and testosterone as dependent variables revealed a significant negative association between serum copper and testosterone levels. The current study concluded that combined exposure to copper, arsenic, and lead in secondary copper smelters had a negative impact on male reproductive hormone levels that may be mediated by oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha M Samir
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Korany
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hisham Foaad
- Department of Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marie Manawil
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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2
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Giulioni C, Maurizi V, De Stefano V, Polisini G, Teoh JYC, Milanese G, Galosi AB, Castellani D. The influence of lead exposure on male semen parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 118:108387. [PMID: 37119974 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a metal with a widespread diffusion in the environment. Pb tends to accumulate in the human body and, as a consequence, semen alterations can be present in exposed workers or general population. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect on semen parameters among healthy men exposed to environmental or occupational Pb. A systematic literature search was performed on November 12th, 2022, through MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Observational studies comparing semen parameters in men exposed to Pb and those not exposed were included. Sperm parameters were pooled using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel Method with a random effect model. The weighted mean difference (WMD) was used as a summary measure. Statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05 Ten papers were included. Pb exposure was associated with a significant reduction in semen volume (WMD -0.76ml.95% CI -1.47, -0.05, p=0.04), sperm concentration (WMD -0.63 ×106/ml 95% CI -1.15, -0.12, p=0.02), total sperm count (WMD -1.94 ×106 95% CI -3. 77, -0.11, p=0.04), sperm vitality (WMD -2.18% 95% CI -3.92, -0.45, p=0.01), and total sperm motility (WMD -1.31% 95% CI -2.33, -0.30, p=0.01). No difference was found in sperm normal morphology, progressive motility, and seminal viscosity. This review demonstrated the negative effect of Pb exposure on most of semen parameters. Given the diffuse exposure to this metal of the general population, public health concerns should be considered and exposed workers should be assessed to evaluate their semen. DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: Data will be provided by the corresponding author upon a reasonable request.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Giulioni
- Polytechnic University of Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria della Marche, Department of Urology, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Valentina Maurizi
- Polytechnic University of Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria della Marche, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Ancona, Italy
| | - Virgilio De Stefano
- Polytechnic University of Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria della Marche, Department of Urology, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giordano Polisini
- Polytechnic University of Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria della Marche, Department of Urology, Ancona, Italy
| | - Jeremy Yuen-Chun Teoh
- S.H. Ho Urology Centre, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Giulio Milanese
- Polytechnic University of Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria della Marche, Department of Urology, Ancona, Italy
| | - Andrea Benedetto Galosi
- Polytechnic University of Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria della Marche, Department of Urology, Ancona, Italy
| | - Daniele Castellani
- Polytechnic University of Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria della Marche, Department of Urology, Ancona, Italy
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Ai CE, Li CJ, Tsou MC, Chen JL, Hsi HC, Chien LC. Blood and seminal plasma mercury levels and predatory fish intake in relation to low semen quality. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:19425-19433. [PMID: 31077049 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04592-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Declining human sperm quality has been demonstrated in several recent studies. Age, environmental factors, and nutritional factors can affect semen quality. Mercury (Hg) is considered a male reproductive toxicant. Animal studies indicated that exposure to Hg can cause DNA damage, sperm dysfunction, and decreased sperm motility. Some previous studies also revealed that blood Hg levels in infertile or subfertile males were higher than those in normal males. In this study, we recruited 84 male participants from a reproductive medical center and investigated the Hg, lead, and selenium levels in blood and seminal plasma. Participants were divided into two groups, low- and high-quality semen groups, according to the World Health Organization reference values for human semen characteristics. The distribution of blood reproductive hormones and information on participants' lifestyle and medical history were collected from structured questionnaires. Average Hg levels in blood were 9.3±5.9 versus 8.9±5.9 and in seminal plasma were 1.26±0.61 versus 1.05±0.52 μg/L in the low- and high-quality semen groups, respectively. There was a dose-dependent relationship between blood Hg levels and normal sperm morphology (p=0.02). Participants with predatory fish intake and high blood Hg level had lower sperm with a normal morphology. Therefore, predatory fish intake may be a critical risk factor for elevated Hg levels in males and cause low semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-En Ai
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei, 110, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Jen Li
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei, 110, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chien Tsou
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei, 110, Taiwan
| | - Jun-Lin Chen
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei, 110, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Cheng Hsi
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 71 Chou-Shan Rd., Taipei, 106, Taiwan.
| | - Ling-Chu Chien
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei, 110, Taiwan.
- Nutrition Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, 250 Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei, 110, Taiwan.
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Tomei F, Rosati MV, Lorusso G, Ricci L, Damato FM, Caciari T, Giubilati R, Casale T, Pimpinella B, Marchione S, Nardone N, di Luca NM, Massoni F, Anzelmo V, Massimi R, Tomei G, Ricci P, Sacco C, Ricci S. No Correlation between Blood Benzene Levels and Luteinizing Hormone Plasma Values in Outdoor Workers. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2019; 19:1165-1171. [PMID: 31038083 DOI: 10.2174/1871530319666190417112818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether low-dose exposure to benzene, an environmental pollutant to which male and female traffic policemen are daily exposed to could cause alterations in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. METHODS From an initial sample of 1594 workers, we only selected 95 workers of whom study we knew the values of late-shift benzene and LH hormone. All subjects underwent biological monitoring (final blood benzene evaluation) and luteinizing hormone dosing. Excluding subjects with the main confounding factors, the final sample included 76 workers. The normal distribution of the variables was evaluated using the Kolmogorov - Smirnov test, followed by the logarithmic transformation of the LH and benzene values. The comparison among means was performed by using the t-test for the independent samples. The ANOVA test was performed for variables with more than 2 modes (ages and seniority) and Pearson correlation index between variables in the total sample and after subdivision as to sex, job, sports activity and smoking. The results were considered significant when p values were less than 0.05. RESULTS/CONCLUSION The study did not show a correlation between benzene levels and LH plasma levels in outdoor workers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria V Rosati
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Medical-Legal and the Orthopedics, Specialty Scool of Occupational Medicine, Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Lorusso
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Medical-Legal and the Orthopedics, Specialty Scool of Occupational Medicine, Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lidia Ricci
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Felice M Damato
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Stefania Marchione
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Nardone
- Spin off Sipro, Via Stimigliano 5, 00199 Rome, Italy
| | - Natale Mario di Luca
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Massoni
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenza Anzelmo
- Institute of Public Health, Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Rome " Cattolica del Sacro Cuore", Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | | | - Gianfranco Tomei
- Department of Psychiatric and Psychological Science, University of Rome " Sapienza ", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Ricci
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmina Sacco
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Serafino Ricci
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Medical-Legal and the Orthopedics, Specialty Scool of Occupational Medicine, Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy.,Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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5
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Lack of beneficial effect of activated charcoal in lead induced testicular toxicity in male albino rats. MIDDLE EAST FERTILITY SOCIETY JOURNAL 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mefs.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
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Sun J, Yu G, Zhang Y, Liu X, Du C, Wang L, Li Z, Wang C. Heavy Metal Level in Human Semen with Different Fertility: a Meta-Analysis. Biol Trace Elem Res 2017; 176:27-36. [PMID: 27444304 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-016-0804-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There are conflicting reports on the heavy metal levels in human semen with different fertilities. The purpose of this analysis is to merge and analyze the differences of heavy metal lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) levels in male semen with normal and low fertilities. All documents in both Chinese and English were collected from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database from inception date to February 19, 2016. We have used RevMan software (version 5.2) for the meta-analysis and Stata software (version 12.0) for the meta-regression and sensitivity analyses. A total of 20 literatures were included in the study. The results of the meta-analysis indicate a significant difference between fertility with three metal ions (Pb, Cd, Zn) while no significant difference with copper, detailed as follows: (i) 10 studies on the lead concentrations with a standardized mean difference (SMD) = 2.07, 95 %CI (0.97, 3.17), P < 0.01; (ii) 13 studies on the cadmium concentrations with an SMD = 0.75, 95 %CI (0.44, 1.07), P < 0.01; (iii) 8 studies on the concentrations of zinc with an SMD = -0.61, 95 %CI (-1.08, -0.14), P < 0.01; and (iv) 9 studies on the copper concentrations with an SMD = 0.42, 95 %CI (-0.29, 1.13), P = 0.247. The results indicate that the men with low fertility have higher semen Pb and Cd levels and lower semen Zn levels; more studies are needed to indicate the association of the semen copper level with fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Sun
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, DongHu Road 115, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangxia Yu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, DongHu Road 115, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Yucheng Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, DongHu Road 115, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Liu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, DongHu Road 115, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuang Du
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, DongHu Road 115, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, DongHu Road 115, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, DongHu Road 115, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhong Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, DongHu Road 115, Wuhan, 430071, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Perelomov LV, Perelomova IV, Venevtseva UL. The toxic effects of trace elements on male reproductive health. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s0362119716030130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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8
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Fathi Najafi T, Latifnejad Roudsari R, Namvar F, Ghavami Ghanbarabadi V, Hadizadeh Talasaz Z, Esmaeli M. Air pollution and quality of sperm: a meta-analysis. IRANIAN RED CRESCENT MEDICAL JOURNAL 2015; 17:e26930. [PMID: 26023349 PMCID: PMC4443398 DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.17(4)2015.26930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Context: Air pollution is common in all countries and affects reproductive functions in men and women. It particularly impacts sperm parameters in men. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the impact of air pollution on the quality of sperm. Evidence Acquisition: The scientific databases of Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, Cochrane Library, and Elsevier were searched to identify relevant articles published between 1978 to 2013. In the first step, 76 articles were selected. These studies were ecological correlation, cohort, retrospective, cross-sectional, and case control ones that were found through electronic and hand search of references about air pollution and male infertility. The outcome measurement was the change in sperm parameters. A total of 11 articles were ultimately included in a meta-analysis to examine the impact of air pollution on sperm parameters. The authors applied meta-analysis sheets from Cochrane library, then data extraction, including mean and standard deviation of sperm parameters were calculated and finally their confidence interval (CI) were compared to CI of standard parameters. Results: The CI for pooled means were as follows: 2.68 ± 0.32 for ejaculation volume (mL), 62.1 ± 15.88 for sperm concentration (million per milliliter), 39.4 ± 5.52 for sperm motility (%), 23.91 ± 13.43 for sperm morphology (%) and 49.53 ± 11.08 for sperm count. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis showed that air pollution reduces sperm motility, but has no impact on the other sperm parameters of spermogram.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Fathi Najafi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran
- Lecturer Departments of Midwifery, Medical University, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, IR Iran
| | - Robab Latifnejad Roudsari
- Evidence-Based Care Research Centre, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran
- Corresponding Author: Robab Latifnejad Roudsari, Evidence-Based Care Research Centre, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran. Tel: +98-5138591511, Fax: +98-5138591511, E-mail:
| | - Farideh Namvar
- Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Medicine, Applied Biology Research Center, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, IR Iran
| | - Vahid Ghavami Ghanbarabadi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health , Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Zahra Hadizadeh Talasaz
- Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran
| | - Mahin Esmaeli
- Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran
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Pant N, Pant AB, Chaturvedi PK, Shukla M, Mathur N, Gupta YK, Saxena DK. Semen quality of environmentally exposed human population: the toxicological consequence. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 20:8274-8281. [PMID: 23690079 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1813-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Human data on the relationship of semen quality with pesticide and metals are mostly inconsistent. The purpose of the study is to confirm the toxicity of organochlorine pesticide β- and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), DDE and DDD, and metals lead or cadmium on sperm motility in epidemiological study among fertile and infertile men and to determine whether in vivo and in vitro results are in the same direction. Semen analysis and estimation of the toxicants were done in 60 fertile and 150 infertile men. In the in vitro studies, sperm were exposed to the highest levels of these toxicants found in vivo, as well as five and ten times higher, and to the mixture of all compounds. The study assesses sperm viability and motility for a period ranging between 30 min and 96 h. Epidemiological data showed an inverse correlation of toxicant with sperm motility. In vitro study showed that γ-HCH and lead after 12 h, cadmium after 8 h, and coexposure to toxicants after 6 h of exposure caused significant concentration- and duration-dependent decline in sperm motility. Data of in vitro study were concurrent with epidemiological finding that might be useful in establishing the possible association between exposure and effect of these selected pollutants on sperm motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Pant
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India,
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Wirth JJ, Mijal RS. Adverse Effects of Low Level Heavy Metal Exposure on Male Reproductive Function. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2010; 56:147-67. [DOI: 10.3109/19396360903582216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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11
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Tomao E, Tomei G, Rosati MV, Caciari T, Danese D, Gamberale D, Vacca D, Palermo P, Anzelmo V, Tomei F. Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in male workers exposed to urban stressors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2009; 407:4591-4595. [PMID: 19477485 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2008] [Revised: 04/30/2009] [Accepted: 05/06/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study is to evaluate if occupational exposure to urban stressors could cause alterations in luteinizing hormone (LH) plasma levels in male traffic policemen vs. administrative staff of Municipal Police.After excluding the subjects with the main confounding factors, male traffic police and administrative staff of Municipal Police were matched by age, working life, body mass index (BMI), alcohol drinking habit, cigarette smoking habit and habitual consumption of Italian coffee.In 166 male traffic police mean LH values were significantly higher compared to 166 male administrative employees. The distribution of LH values in traffic police and in administrative employees was statistically significant.Our results suggest that recent exposure to urban stressors (chemical, physical and psycho-social) can alter the plasma concentration of LH. In agreement with our previous research, levels of plasma LH may be used as early biological markers, valuable for the group, used in occupational set before the appearance of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Tomao
- General Office for Military Health-Defence General Staff, Rome, Italy
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Inhorn MC, King L, Nriagu JO, Kobeissi L, Hammoud N, Awwad J, Abu-Musa AA, Hannoun AB. Occupational and environmental exposures to heavy metals: Risk factors for male infertility in Lebanon? Reprod Toxicol 2008; 25:203-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2007.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2007] [Revised: 09/14/2007] [Accepted: 10/24/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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13
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Mendiola J, Ten J, Araico F, Martín-Ondarza C, Torres-Cantero AM, Moreno-Grau JM, Moreno-Grau S, Bernabeu R. Metales pesados y calidad seminal en humanos. Rev Int Androl 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s1698-031x(07)74051-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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14
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Winker R, Rüdiger HW. Reproductive toxicology in occupational settings: an update. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2005; 79:1-10. [PMID: 16010576 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-005-0011-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2004] [Accepted: 04/28/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article mainly attempts to review the recent human literature on the adverse effects of occupational factors on fertility, developmental effects and genetic changes in the germ line, which lead to genetic malformations or to genetic disease. The secondary study aim is to answer whether occupational exposures are quantitative momentously for 15% involuntarily childless couples, 10-20% spontaneous abortions and 3% birth defects. METHODS A literature survey was conducted for publications on these subjects focusing on the latest publications. PubMed (Medline. 2005) was used for this literature search. RESULTS Publication bias and a large amount of confounding factors, which have to be controlled, make the design of human fertility studies difficult. Epidemiologic studies using time to conception techniques have been useful in identifying substances and exposure scenarios with proven toxic effect on fertility. The collected studies suggest that the exposure to the following substances or occupational settings may affect fertility function: lead, organic mercury compounds, manganese, carbon disulfide, 2-bromopropane and dibromochloropropane, welding, professional driving and working with heat. Concerning developmental effects even for methyl mercury, which was in group A of the German MAK list, to date no reliable evidence of the damaging effect on the human fetus under actual work conditions has been obtained. It is also difficult to classify substances according to their mutagenic potential for the germ cell, since no direct evidence of an association between exposure against a physical or chemical pollutant and the occurrence of a hereditary disorder has been found yet. CONCLUSION In conclusion there are only a few substances which may affect reproductive function in the workplace without a doubt. The decreasing fertility of women in Western countries can be explained by the increasing female reproduction age, rather than by occupational exposures. Also the rates for spontaneous abortions and birth defects cannot be explained by industrial exposures at the workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Winker
- Division of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Hernández-Ochoa I, García-Vargas G, López-Carrillo L, Rubio-Andrade M, Morán-Martínez J, Cebrián ME, Quintanilla-Vega B. Low lead environmental exposure alters semen quality and sperm chromatin condensation in northern Mexico. Reprod Toxicol 2005; 20:221-8. [PMID: 15907657 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2005.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2004] [Revised: 12/15/2004] [Accepted: 01/14/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated environmental-lead (Pb) effects on semen quality and sperm chromatin, considering Pb in seminal fluid (PbSF), spermatozoa (PbSpz), and blood (PbB) as exposure biomarkers in urban men (9.3 microg/dL PbB). Several individuals (44%) showed decreases in sperm quality; sperm concentration, motility, morphology and viability associated negatively with PbSpz, whereas semen volume associated negatively with PbSF. Multiple linear regression estimated PbSF and PbSpz thresholds for alterations in semen quality. Forty-eight percent of samples showed high values of nuclear chromatin condensation (NCD) positively associated with PbSF and zinc in spermatozoa (ZnSpz). ZnSpz values were higher than in fertile men. These results suggest that Pb may affect sperm chromatin by altering sperm Zn availability. PbB was not associated with semen quality or NCD, suggesting that Pb in semen compartments assesses better the amount of Pb in the reproductive tract; therefore, these are better biomarkers to evaluate toxicity at low Pb-exposure levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Hernández-Ochoa
- Sección Externa de Toxicología, CINVESTAV-IPN, Ave. IPN #2508, Colonia Zacatenco, México D.F. 07360, Mexico
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Younglai EV, Holloway AC, Foster WG. Environmental and occupational factors affecting fertility and IVF success. Hum Reprod Update 2005; 11:43-57. [PMID: 15601728 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmh055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive function has been shown to be sensitive to changes in the physical, psychosocial and chemical environments. Although reproductive effects of occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals have been well documented in the literature, the potential effects of chemical contaminants at levels representative of contemporary exposures in the general population are much less certain. Evidence for adverse effects of exposure to environmental contaminants is more conclusive among the lower animals than for humans where considerable controversy remains. In addition to potential reproductive hazards of exposure to environmental contaminants, there is also evidence for adverse reproductive effects of the physical and psychosocial environments. In this review we focus on the difficulties involved in linking exposure to putative hazardous substances in environmental and occupational settings to adverse reproductive outcomes, especially success of IVF procedures. We highlight the plausibility of adverse events through animal and cell studies and the application of these results to the interpretation of human data. We consider both the male and female partners since it is essentially their combined contributions of gametes which may be affected by chemicals, which lead to successful outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward V Younglai
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Reproductive Biology Division, McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Pant N, Upadhyay G, Pandey S, Mathur N, Saxena DK, Srivastava SP. Lead and cadmium concentration in the seminal plasma of men in the general population: correlation with sperm quality. Reprod Toxicol 2003; 17:447-50. [PMID: 12849856 DOI: 10.1016/s0890-6238(03)00036-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The concentration of lead and cadmium in the seminal plasma of men in the general population, including fertile and infertile subjects, was measured. Semen samples were categorised as demonstrating oligospermia (sperm concentration < 20 x 10(6)/ml), asthenospermia (<50% motilesperm), oligoasthenospermia (a combination of the two criteria), and azoospermia (no sperm). An increase in lead and cadmium levels was observed in infertile men and there was a significant negative correlation of cadmium and lead semen concentration with sperm motility and sperm concentration in oligoasthenospermic men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Pant
- Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, PO Box 80, MG Marg, 226001 Lucknow, India
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Abstract
This review aims to give an overview of some of the biomarkers that have been used for the monitoring of human exposure to xenobiotics as well as to provide a summary of some of the recent epidemiological studies on male reproductive health of exposure to environmental and occupational toxicants. Possible molecular mechanisms on seminal quality change are also suggested. Studies using various biomarkers have no doubt enabled us to better characterize the effect of environmental pollutants on the male reproductive system. However, the sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers have not been comprehensively validated. Furthermore, many epidemiological findings are difficult to replicate owing to the inherited methodological problems of male reproductive health investigations, such as the small number of study subjects, low compliance rate, substantial intra-individual variability in semen parameters, measurement techniques and misclassifications based on single assay. Oxidative damage, in particular DNA-damage caused by free radicals, generated either by xenobiotics, or endogenously, is now thought to be a key molecular mechanism associated with semen quality and sperm function. Laboratory studies and epidemiological findings have suggested that the male reproductive system is susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS). On the other hand, there is so far no single all-encompassing biomarker of reproductive capacity in men. A panel of biomarkers with specific goals should be considered. Collaborative multidisciplinary studies are also needed to overcome some of the issues mentioned here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choon-Nam Ong
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health, Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore, 16, Medical Drive, 117597 Singapore, Singapore.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead impairs male fertility and may affect offspring of exposed males, but the mechanisms for this impairment are not completely clear. Protamine P1 and P2 families pack and protect mammalian sperm DNA. Human HP2 is a zinc-protein and may have an important role in fertility. As lead has affinity for zinc-containing proteins, we evaluated its ability in vitro to bind to HP2 and its effects on HP2-DNA binding. Methods and Results UV/VIS spectroscopic data indicated that HP2 binds both Pb(2+) and Zn(2+)(as chloride salts). They also provided evidence that thiol groups mainly participate for Zn(2+)-binding; however, HP2 has additional binding sites for Pb(2+). The mobility shift assay showed that lead interaction with HP2 caused a dose-dependent decrease on HP2 binding to DNA, suggesting that lead may alter chromatin stability. CONCLUSIONS These in vitro results demonstrate that lead can interact with HP2 altering the DNA-protamine binding. This chemical interaction of lead with protamines may result in chromatin alterations, which in turn may lead to male fertility problems and eventually to DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Quintanilla-Vega
- National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA.
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Kumar R, Pant N, Srivastava SP. Chlorinated pesticides and heavy metals in human semen. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY 2000; 23:145-9. [PMID: 10844539 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2605.2000.00218.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The concentration of chlorinated pesticides and heavy metals (lead and cadmium) was measured using gas liquid chromatography and the graphite tube atomizer of atomic absorption spectrophotometer, respectively, in semen samples collected from men in the normal human population. Significant concentrations of lead and cadmium were detected. Significant amounts of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and its isomers alpha, beta, gamma and delta, the dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) metabolite 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p chlorophenyl ethane) (pp'-DDE) and low values of 1,1,2-dichloro-2, 2-bis(p chlorophenyl ethane) (pp'-DDD) aldrin or endosulfan were detected. The presence of these xenobiotics in human semen might be related to the extensive use of pesticides, emission of exhaust from motor vehicles, consumption of tobacco and industrial operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kumar
- Analytical Chemistry Section, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, India
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Foster WG, McMahon A, Rice DC. Sperm chromatin structure is altered in cynomolgus monkeys with environmentally relevant blood lead levels. Toxicol Ind Health 1996; 12:723-35. [PMID: 8989849 DOI: 10.1177/074823379601200509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to lead has been associated with a variety of adverse reproductive outcomes such as spontaneous abortion, impaired fecundity, and sterility. Although decreased sperm counts and serum testosterone levels have been found in men with occupational lead exposure, animal experiments suggest that fertility may be impaired at blood lead levels that have no apparent effect on reproductive hormone levels or sperm concentration. Consequently, this study investigated the effect of chronic lead treatment on semen quality in healthy cynomolgus monkeys aged 15-20 years with mean (+/-SD) blood lead levels of 10 +/- 3 micrograms/dL (range 6-20 micrograms/dL, n = 4) and 56 +/- 49 micrograms/dL (range 22-148 micrograms/dL, n = 7) compared to a reference group with blood lead levels < 1.0 microgram/dL (n = 8). Blood and semen samples were collected once from each monkey in five different months. Serum testosterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay, and lead effects on chromatin structure were analyzed by flow cytometry. There were no effects of treatment on circulating levels of testosterone or parameters of semen quality such as sperm count, viability, motility, and morphology. However, significant (p < 0.03) treatment-related effects were seen on SD alpha t values in the treated vs control animals. Group comparisons also revealed that the effects of chronic lead exposure were significant (p < 0.05) for both lead-exposed groups compared to the reference group. We conclude that chronic lead exposure alters sperm chromatin structure at blood lead levels relevant to the human population and in the absence of effects on endocrine function and traditional measures of semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- W G Foster
- Environmental Health Directorate, Department of Health, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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