Concentration of trace elements in human semen and relation to spermatozoa quality

Abstract

In this study the concentrations of trace elements such as lead, cadmium, iron, nickel, copper and zinc in the human semen (n = 47), occurrence of pathological spermatozoa, and correlations of these elements to pathological forms were investigated. For each sample of human spermatozoa at least 500 spermatozoa were evaluated. Metal contents were determined by the voltametric method and flame absorption spectrophotometry method. The concentrations of trace elements in human semen were: lead 1.49 +/- 0.40 mg x kg(- 1), cadmium 0.13 +/- 0.15 mg x kg(- 1), iron 2.59 +/- 0.21 mg x kg(- 1), nickel 0.40 +/- 0.07 mg x kg(- 1), copper 0.28 +/- 0.06 mg x kg(- 1), and zinc 153.93 +/- 67.08 mg x kg(- 1), respectively. The total percentage of pathological spermatozoa was 41.61 +/- 9.80% with predominancy of broken flagellum, flagellum torso and separated flagellum. In relation to trace elements the analysis showed correlation between copper and lead (r = -0.47), nickel and iron (r = 0.36), lead and flagellum ball (r = -0.39), cadmium and large heads (r = 0.37) and between iron and other forms of pathological spermatozoa (r = -0.32). Results of this study describe possible effects of trace elements on the spermatozoa quality in normal human sperm.

Cadmium in human and animal organisms. III. Effect on reproductive system

“…Варто зазначити, що J. Slivkova зі співавторами [67] не виявили естрогенної активності Cd 2+ за умов in vitro. Однак результати більшості досліджень свідчать, що Кадмій діє подібно до естрогенів у клітинах різних органів (молочна залоза, матка, яєчник, тонка кишка), і такий ефект не притаманний іншим важким металам.…”

Lead induced alterations in rabbit spermatozoa motility and morphology in vitro

“…This apparent specificity depends on the dose and the duration of action of the compounds (Massanyi et al 2007;Kolesarova et al 2010;Roychoudhury and Massanyi 2014). Previous studies by our group described the Pb concentrations in testis and semen of animals, human semen, and their correlations to spermatozoa quality (Massanyi et al 2003(Massanyi et al , 2004(Massanyi et al , 2007Slivkova et al 2009;Tvrda et al 2013). Even though testis as a whole does not show higher Pb accumulation, testicular cells are sensitive to changes in the environment, and their function is influenced by many factors, including heavy metals (Krockova et al 2012;Toman et al 2012).…”

“…After processing, the semen samples were incubated in the laboratory together with lead (lead chloride PbCl 2 ; Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, USA) in sterilized air-tight test tubes under three different temperature regimes -at laboratory temperature (22°C), in refrigerator (4°C), and in incubator (37°C). For in vitro exposure, PbCl 2 was diluted immediately before use and in five experimental concentrations was added to semen samples except for the control group based on our previous studies (Massanyi et al 2003(Massanyi et al , 2004(Massanyi et al , 2007Slivkova et al 2009;Kolesarova et al 2010;Tvrda et al 2013). The experimental concentrations of Pb were: 0 µg/ml (control group KF), 0.45 µg/ml (group 5F), 1.79 µg/ml (group 4F), 4.02 µg/ml (group 3F), 7.15 µg/ml (group 2F), and 11.17 µg/ml (group 1F), as presented in detail in Table 1.…”

Evaluation of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for determining Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se and Zn in bovine semen samples using a simple sample dilution method

“…Alternatively, to simplify the matrix, many studies have used the seminal plasma (the liquid part of semen that is composed of secretions from the accessory glands) which is obtained by semen centrifugation. 8,[10][11][12][13][14] However, the concentration of metals in seminal plasma does not directly express their concentration in semen. 30 The purpose of the present study was to establish and validate a fast method for determining seven essential elements in bovine semen based on a simple sample dilution prior to ICP-MS analysis.…”

“…The analysis makes possible to directly evaluate the concentrations of the elements of interest in the reproductive cells and seminal fluid, which can determine the semen quality and fertility success. 8,[10][11][12][13][14] The semen analysis is also useful in the evaluation of the exposure to toxic metals in the environment. 1,6 The analysis of trace elements in biological samples is predominantly performed using atomic spectrometry techniques, such as atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) 24 and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).…”