Objectives To determine the association between environmental and occupational exposures, semen parameters and lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels in seminal plasma of men investigated for infertility.Methods Data were collected from 300 men investigated for infertility using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Seminal fluid analysis and classification was done according to WHO guidelines. Positive exposure was defined as environmental or occupational exposure to agro or industrial chemicals, heavy metals and living in areas within 50m of potential sources of pollution for three months or more. Seminal plasma lead and cadmium levels were estimated by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry after digestion with nitric acid. The means of sperm parameters, Pb and Cd concentrations between exposed and non exposed groups were compared using t-test.Results Mean age was 34.8 (95% CI 34.2-35.4) years BMI was 24.3 (95% CI 23.8-24.7) kg/m 2 and duration of the infertility was 45.7 (41.7-49.6) months. In this study, 54.6% were exposed to toxins through environmental or occupational sources. All sperm parameters were lower in the exposed group when compared to the non exposed. Lead and cadmium were detected in 38.3% and 23% of men respectively. The distance from the source of possible environmental or occupational exposure was negatively correlated to seminal plasma Pb (r=0.06, p>0.05) and Cd (r=0.26, p<0.05) concentrations. In the exposed, mean IntroductionGlobally, human fecundity appears to be on the decline with decrease in semen quality and male infertility being on the rise [1,2]. Environmental pollutants, occupational exposures and life style factors have been explored as possible contributors [3]. Toxicants affecting the reproductive system are broadly categorised as petroleum products, agrochemicals, industrial chemicals and heavy metals. The effects of exposure to toxicants and male infertility have been reported by many investigators [4]. However the results vary according to the study population, the methods used in the assessment of exposure and the biological end point.Of the heavy metals known to impair semen quality, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are the two most prevalent Ceylon Medical Journal 2015; 60: 52-6 lead concentration was 17.7 (95% CI 15.0-20.4) µg/dl and 13.5 (95% CI 11.2-15.7) µg/dl in non exposed and cadmium concentration in exposed was 1.2 (95% CI 1.1-1.4) µg/dl and 1.1 (0.9-1.3) µg/dl in non-exposed.Conclusions Environmental and occupational exposures were associated with reduced sperm count motility, viability, normal forms and detectable levels of lead and cadmium in seminal plasma.

BackgroundLead (Pb) is one of the metals most prevalent in the environment and is known to cause infertility and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation. This study aimed to determine the association between seminal plasma Pb and sperm DNA fragmentation in men investigated for infertility.MethodsMale partners (n = 300) of couples investigated for infertility were recruited after informed consent was obtained. Sperm parameters were assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Seminal plasma Pb was estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after digestion with nitric acid.ResultsIn Pb-positive and -negative groups the sperm parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were compared using independent sample t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test, respectively. The mean [standard deviation (SD)] age and duration of infertility were 34.8 (5.34) years and 45.7 (35.09) months, respectively, and the mean Pb concentration was 15.7 μg/dL. In Pb positives compared to Pb negatives the means (SD) of sperm count, progressive motility viability and normal morphology were lower (p > 0.05) but the DNA fragmentation was significantly higher 39.80% (25.08) than Pb negatives 22.65% (11.30). Seminal plasma Pb concentration and sperm DNA fragmentation had a positive correlation (r = 0.38, p = 0.03). A negative correlation was observed between sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm concentration, progressive motility, total motility and viability. When the DNA fragmentation was ≥30% sperm concentration and viability decreased (p < 0.05).ConclusionsPb in seminal plasma had a significant effect on sperm DNA fragmentation but not with other sperm parameters.

Objective: The study aimed to determine the association between environmental and occupational exposure to toxicants and semen parameters of men investigated for infertility. Methods: Exposure information was obtained using interviewer administered questionnaire with informed consent. WHO guidelines and cut off values were used in analyzing the sperm parameters. The parametric and non-parametric data were analysed using t-test and chisquare test respectively. Mean semen parameters between groups exposed to different toxicants were compared using one way ANOVA. Results: In the study population, 53.9% of men were exposed to toxicants through environmental or occupational sources. Exposures were mainly to petroleum products (30.2%), industrial chemicals (16.9%) and agrochemicals (6.8%).The mean values of sperm concentration, progressive motility, normal forms and viability of subjects exposed to petroleum products were lower compared to non exposed group with significant differences in normal morphological forms [31.1 (18.46)%] vs. [38.1 (17.90)%] (p=0.02) and viability [46.6 (22.26)%] vs. [55.2 (19.50)%] (p=0.02). All the sperm parameters were lower in the exposed group, with a significant difference in sperm morphology [33.5 (17.1)%] vs. [38.1(17.9)%] (p=0.03) and sperm viability [49.3 (19.4)%] vs. [55.2 (19.5)%] (p=0.02) compared to non exposed group. Conclusion: Occupational and environmental exposure to reproductive toxicants is associated with poor semen quality with significant reduction in normal forms and viability of sperm.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is one of the medically beneficial spices consumed by Sri Lankan people in different ways. The study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds and in vitro anticoagulant activity of aqueous and methanolic extract of raw, boiled, and honey fermented preparations of garlic. Different concentrations of aqueous and methanolic extract of raw, boiled, and honey fermented garlic were prepared by grinding different weights of garlic (2.5×10-3 kg for 500 mgmL-1, 1.25×10-3 kg for 250 mgmL-1, 0.25×10-3 kg for 50 mgmL-1 and 0.05×10-3 kg for 10 mgmL-1). For aqueous extract, the crude extract had been collected whereas for methanolic extract preparation, maceration had been done. In vitro anticoagulant activity was analysed using prothrombin time (PT) of pooled plasma diluted with different concentrations of garlic extract. Bioactive compounds in garlic extracts were analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Methanolic extract of all 3 preparations and aqueous extract of honey fermented garlic had significantly prolonged PT at all concentrations compared to the control (p<0.05). Aqueous extract of raw and boiled garlic showed significant prolongation in PT only at high concentrations compared to the control (p=0.008). Prolongation in PT was increased with increasing concentration of garlic extract. Honey fermented garlic had the highest prolongation in PT compared to the other two preparations. Moreover, methanolic garlic extract exhibited the a higher prolongation in PT compared to aqueous garlic extract. The content of Dodecanoic acid methyl ester and Methyl tetradecanoate in boiled garlic extract was much higher than in raw garlic extract. Diallyl disulphide, Methyl thiourea and S-Methyl methanethiosulfinate were only found in aqueous raw garlic extract. Beta sitosterol was only detected in methanolic raw garlic extract. All three consumption methods of garlic have an inhibitory effect on blood coagulation. Honey fermented garlic is the most effective preparation for anticoagulant activity.