Some Actions of Lead on the Sperm and on the Male Reproductive System

Abstract

There is evidence that lead t:an exert a toxk a,•tion uron 1he male reproductive ~ystem.Likewise, there is evidence 1 hal ~ome ur 1 he effects 1 hat lead exerl ~ upon other biological syslcms might also affect male rcproduct ive capadty. Difft:'rcnccs in rt:'sponse to the toxic net ions ortead can, in part, he attribmcd l<1 d ifference~ in dose. duration . nnd methou of exposure, .species, and lack of comparablt: cxperime nt ul designs. Ne vcrthclt'ss , a >permatotoxic unci gonadoloxit! effect of lead has been seen in a varicl y or ..;pedes induding man . Furthcrmor¢, leau e. wosurc hn~ hcen linked tb chromo~omal abcrrutiun~ in workers .

Prophylactic Efficacy of Coriandrum sativum (Coriander) on Testis of Lead-Exposed Mice

“…These findings correspond with the observations made by some researchers that lead acts as a spermicidal agent in case of high exposure [9,11]. Seminiferous tubules decreased in size and had a wavy outline.…”

“…The nucleoli in majority of Leydig cells, rich in rRNA, had disappeared suggesting an atrophy of these cells. These findings are agreed with that of some previous investigators [9,[84][85][86][87]. All these scientists described variety of toxic changes induced by lead in the testes depending upon dose and duration of the treatment.…”

“…Lead is an environmental pollutant and metabolic poison with a variety of toxic effects, among which is its adverse influence on reproduction [9]. Numerous studies [9][10][11][12][13] over the year have investigated the detrimental effects of lead on reproductive function. Many studies have shown that reproductive toxicity is an important feature of lead toxicity [14][15][16].…”

Sperm Chromatin Structure Is Altered in Cynomolgus Monkeys With Environmentally Relevant Blood Lead Levels

“…In a review of the subject, Thomas and Brogan (1983) summarized ten reports which describe a positive association between lead exposure and chromosomal aberrations such as chromatid or chromosomal gaps or breaks. Thomas and Brogan (1983) also summarized six studies which failed to find any linkage between occupational lead exposure with frequency of chromosomal aberrations.…”

“…In a review of the subject, Thomas and Brogan (1983) summarized ten reports which describe a positive association between lead exposure and chromosomal aberrations such as chromatid or chromosomal gaps or breaks. Thomas and Brogan (1983) also summarized six studies which failed to find any linkage between occupational lead exposure with frequency of chromosomal aberrations. Discrepancies in the literature describing the mutagenic effects of lead may be related to level of exposure as well as to the length of time an individual is exposed as was shown previously for the endocrine effects of lead in men with occupational exposure to this heavy metal (Ng et al, 1991).…”