Semen Quality and Reproductive Endocrine Function in Relation to Biomarkers of Lead, Cadmium, Zinc, and Copper in Men

Abstract

Blood lead (BPb), actity of 6-aminolevulinic add dehydratase (ALAD), erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP), blood cadmium (BCd), serum zinc (SZn), seminal fluid zinc (SaZn), serum copper (SCu), and parameters of semen quality and of reproductive endocrine function were measured in 149 healthy male industrial workers 20-43 years of age. The group contained 98 subjects with slight to moderate occupational exposure to Pb and 51 reference subjects. All of the subjects lived in Zagreb, Croatia. Significant (p < 0.05) correlations of BPb, ALAD, and/or EP with reproductive parameters indicated a Pb-related decrease in sperm density, in counts of total, motile, and viable sperm, in the percentage and count ofprogressively motile sperm, in parameters ofprostate secretory function (S£Zn, acid phosphatase, and citric add in seminal fluid), and an increase in abnormal sperm head morphology, serum testosterone, and estradiol. These associations were confirned by results of multiple regression, which also showed significant (p < 0.05) influence of BCd, SZn, SCu, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, or age on certain reproductive parameters. These effects were mainly of lower rank and intensity as compared to Pb-related reproductive effects, whereas BCd contributed to a decrease in sperm motility and an increase in abnormal sperm morphology and serum testosterone. No significant Pbor Cd-related influence was found on levels of the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme LDH-C4 and fructose in seminal fluid or on follide-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin in serum. The seminal fluid concentrations of Pb (SfPb) and Cd (SfCd) were measured in 118 of the 149 subjects, and a highly significant (p < 0.0001) correlation was found between BPb and SfPb levels (r = 0.571) and between BCd and SfCd levels (r-=0.490). The overall study results indicate that even moderate

Relationships between heavy metal concentrations in three different body fluids and male reproductive parameters: a pilot study

“…Several studies have reported declines in semen quality associated with both Pb [4,11,13] and Cd concentrations in blood [10,14]. However, we observed no significant associations between blood levels of heavy metals and any semen parameters.…”

“…Human, animal and in vitro studies suggest that heavy metals may have adverse impacts on male reproductive health [1-10], even at relatively low-level exposures [11]. Heavy metals could adversely affect the male reproductive system, either by causing hypothalamic-pituitary axis disruption or by directly affecting spermatogenesis, resulting in impair semen quality [12].…”

“…A number of studies have reported a significant inverse association between blood and seminal Pb concentrations and semen quality among both occupationally exposed and unexposed men [4,5,10,13]. Cd has been related to impaired semen quality and altered hormonal levels in men [9,10,14-17].…”

“…Cd has been related to impaired semen quality and altered hormonal levels in men [9,10,14-17]. Cd is considered as an endocrine disruptor, but the mechanisms involved are still unclear [18].…”

Sertoli cell as a model in male reproductive toxicology: Advantages and disadvantages

“…Heavy metals Cadmium Clough et al, 1990Janecki et al, 1992Clough et al, 1990Hew et al, 1993Wong et al, 2004El-Demerdash et al, 2004Foote 1999;Pant et al, 2003;Telisman et al, 2000;Tvrdá et al, 2013Mercury Monsees et al, 2000-Monsees et al, 2000Keck et al, 1993Keck et al, 1993Lead Batarseh et al, 1986Adhikari et al, 2000Batarseh et al, 1986Bizarro et al, 2003Alexaki et al, 1990Hsu et al, 1997;Huang et al, 2001;Kasperczyk et al, 2008;Shafai et al, 2011 Chemicals continuously exposed and/or subjected to high concentrations, which may cause health problems, including sub...…”