Effect of Benzene, Toluene, Xylene on the Semen Quality and the Function of Accessory Gonad of Exposed Workers.

Abstract

The effects on semen and the function of accessory gonad of workers after short and long term exposure to benzene, toluene, and xylene were examined. The semen and blood of 24 married workers exposed to benzene, toluene, and xylene were collected. Routine sperm characteristic, acrosin activity, and Lactate dehydrogenase C4 (LDH-C4) relative activity were detected. The results showed that benzene, toluene, and xylene were found in the blood and semen of some ex-workers at workplaces where the air concentration of benzene, toluene, and xylene exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (MAC). No such solvents were detected in the blood and semen of workers of the control group. The sperm vitality and sperm motility decreased in the exposed workers. The mean acrosin activity, γ γ γ γ γ-GT activity and LDH-C4 relative activity in the exposed workers were lower, and fructose concentration was higher than those in the control. There were negative correlations between sperm vitality, sperm activity, acrosin activity, or LDH-C4 relative activity and working history. These results suggest that the mixture of these solvents could affect the sperm and the function of accessory gonad. This might be one reason of the abnormal pregnancy outcome among the wives of workers exposed to benzene, toluene, and xylene.

Occupational and Lifestyle Exposures on Male Infertility: A Mini Review

“…Semen quality in workers exposed occupationally to hydrocarbons like toluene, benzene and xylene (BTX) present anomalies, including alterations in viscosity, liquefaction capacity, sperm count, sperm motility, and the proportion of sperm with normal morphology compared with unexposed males [77][78][79]. Similarly, exposure to solvents may affect human seminal quality [22,57] proportionally with the range of exposure [61].…”

Off to a good start: the influence of pre- and periconceptional exposures, parental fertility, and nutrition on children's health.

“…The organic solvents benzene, toluene, and xylene can be found in semen (Xiao et al 1999), and ethanol can be detected, entering through simple diffusion (Luke and Coffey 1994). Finally, seminal fluid of smokers contains nicotine, its metabolites, aromatic hydrocarbons, and precursors of mutagenic nitrosamines (Hoffman et al 1994;Pacifici et al 1993;Rivrud 1988;Wong et al 2000).…”

Feasibility the Biological Monitoring of Workers Exposed to Benzene and Toluene via Measuring the Parent Compounds in the Exhaled Breath

“…More than 20 components and approximately 60 natural and synthetic raw materials are used in the production of a typical tire (1). A mixture of organic solvents including benzene, toluene, and xylene has wide applications in industries including printing as well as the production of paint, rubber, adhesives, and many other chemicals (2,3). Volatile organic compounds are used to improve the mixing, flexibility, adhesion, and expansion of rubber hydrocarbons.…”