Associations of blood lead levels with reproductive hormone levels in men and postmenopausal women: Results from the SPECT-China Study

Abstract

We examined whether blood lead levels (BLLs) were associated with reproductive hormone levels in a cross-sectional study using data from the SPECT-China study. We selected 2286 men and 1571 postmenopausal women without hormone replacement therapy. BLLs, blood cadmium, total testosterone (TT), oestradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and sex hormone binding globulin(SHBG) levels were measured. The results showed that median values (interquartile range) of BLLs were 44.00 μg/L (29.00–62.30) for men and 41.00 μg/L (27.00–59.81) for postmenopausal women. In linear regression, after adjusting for age, current smoking status, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diabetes and blood cadmium level, TT (P for trend = 0.001) and SHBG (P for trend < 0.001) levels were still positively associated with BLLs in men. Meanwhile, significant positive associations were found for BLLs with SHBG (P for trend = 0.002), FSH (P for trend = 0.001) and LH (P for trend = 0.026) levels in postmenopausal women. Additionally, the association between BLL and SHBG was modified by dysglycaemia (P for interaction = 0.03) in postmenopausal women. In conclusion, BLLs were associated with reproductive hormone levels in the general population of Chinese men and postmenopausal women, which may have important implications for human health. Concerted efforts to reduce adult lead exposure are warranted.

The effects of exposure to lead, cadmium and mercury on follicle-stimulating hormone levels in men and postmenopausal women: data from the Second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2012–2014)

“…A few epidemiological studies have explored the association between heavy metal and FSH levels. Our results are consistent with those of earlier works from the USA and China [1619]. In China, a recent study found statistically significant positive associations between the blood lead level and FSH concentration in postmenopausal women, but the significance was marginal in men [19].…”

“…Also, other US data showed a positive association between lead and testosterone levels in males, and cadmium and FSH levels in perimenopausal women [1718]. In China, a recent study found positive associations between lead and testosterone levels in men and between lead and FSH and LH levels in postmenopausal women [19].…”

Association between blood lead level and blood pressure: An occupational population-based study in Jiangsu province, China

“…In addition to the above toxic effects, environmental and occupational exposure to lead may cause of male infertility by reducing sperm count motility, viability, normal forms and detectable levels[ 24 ]. Lead exposure was also associated with reproductive hormone levels in Chinese males and postmenopausal females[ 25 ].…”

Blood metal levels and serum testosterone concentrations in male and female children and adolescents: NHANES 2011–2012

“…Non-essential metal elements, such as cadmium, lead, and mercury, have endocrine-disrupting properties even at low concentrations. A positive relationship between environmental cadmium exposure and testosterone levels has also been shown among adult males and females [15–20], and several epidemiologic studies have indicated that environmental lead exposure is associated with increased testosterone levels in U.S., Croatian, and Chinese men [21–23]. The research regarding environmental mercury exposure and testosterone levels in humans is limited.…”