Cadmium, lead, selenium, and zinc in semen of occupationally unexposed men

Noack-Füller, G; Beer, Christopher; Seibert, Hasso

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0272.1993.tb02674.x

Cited by 71 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Seminal plasma cadmium levels have been reported to be unrelated to semen parameters and fertility status (71)(72)(73)(74), to be positively correlated with semen parameters (75), to increase as sperm concentration is decreased (76,77), and to be inversely related to semen parameters only in those men whose semen parameters are already adversely compromised (44,78,79). Our results showed an inverse correlation of seminal plasma cadmium levels with semen parameters in men from infertile couples (group 1) but not known fertile males (group 2) or volunteers from the general population (group 3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cadmium Concentrations in Blood and Seminal Plasma: Correlations with Sperm Number and Motility in Three Male Populations (Infertility Patients, Artificial Insemination Donors, and Unselected Volunteers)

Benoff

Hauser

Marmar

et al. 2009

Mol Med

136

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To investigate a possible common environmental exposure that may partially explain the observed decrease in human semen quality, we correlated seminal plasma and blood cadmium levels with sperm concentration and sperm motility. We studied three separate human populations: group 1, infertility patients (Long Island, NY, USA); group 2, artificial insemination donors (AID) (Rochester, NY, USA); and group 3, general population volunteers (Rochester, NY, USA). Information about confounding factors was collected by questionnaire. Seminal plasma cadmium did not correlate with blood cadmium (Spearman correlation, n = 91, r = -0.092, P = 0.386, NS). Both blood and seminal plasma cadmium were significantly higher among infertility patients than the other subjects studied (for example, median seminal plasma cadmium was 0.282 μg/L in infertility patients versus 0.091 μg/L in AID and 0.092 μg/L in general population volunteers; Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.001). The percentage of motile sperm and sperm concentration correlated inversely with seminal plasma cadmium among the infertility patients (r = -0.201, P < 0.036 and r = -0.189, P < 0.05, respectively), but not in the other two groups. Age (among infertility patients) was the only positive confounder correlating with seminal plasma cadmium. To validate our human findings in an animal model, we chronically exposed adolescent male Wistar rats to low-moderate cadmium in drinking water. Though otherwise healthy, the rats exhibited decreases in epididymal sperm count and sperm motility associated with cadmium dose and time of exposure. Our human and rat study results are consistent with the hypothesis that environmental cadmium exposures may contribute significantly to reduced human male sperm concentration and sperm motility.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cadmium Concentrations in Blood and Seminal Plasma: Correlations with Sperm Number and Motility in Three Male Populations (Infertility Patients, Artificial Insemination Donors, and Unselected Volunteers)

Benoff

Hauser

Marmar

et al. 2009

Mol Med

136

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“…All of these studies have been adjusted for the infl uence of age and current smoking (66,(105)(106)(107)(108)(109), and for other metals (66,105,(107)(108)(109). Other studies (110)(111)(112)(113)(114) have not found any association between low-level lead exposure and semen quality or endocrine function in men.…”

Section: Effects Of Environmental Exposure To Metals On Reproductive mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Toxicity of Metals in Men

Pizent¹,

Tariba²,

Živković³

2012

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

108

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A combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors contributes to adverse effects on the reproductive health in men. Metals are pervasive in food, water, air, tobacco smoke, and alcoholic beverages. Experimental studies suggest that many metals have adverse effects on the male reproductive function. However, information about reproductive effects of human exposure to metals is scarce and/or inconsistent. This review summarises the information from epidemiological studies of the effects of metal exposure on reproductive function in men. Factors capable of affecting these relationships were identifi ed and discussed. A particular attention is given to the studies considering infl uence of concomitant exposure to various metals. These studies have generally confi rmed that even moderate-to low-level exposure to lead affects certain reproductive parameters, and that exposure to cadmium affects the prostate function and serum testosterone levels. Adverse effects of mercury, manganese, chromium and arsenic on semen quality and altered serum hormone are less well documented. There is no clear evidence that boron exposure may impair reproductive health in men. Only a few studies have investigated reproductive effects of concomitant exposure to several metals and controlled for potential confounders. Future studies should consider the contribution of combined exposure to various metals and/or other factors that may infl uence individual susceptibility to reproductive health impairment in men. KEY WORDS: human semen quality, metals, metalloids, metal interactions, sex hormonesPizent A, et al.

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“…A study of Singapore men did not find correlations between blood or seminal plasma lead levels and sperm concentration, motility, or morphology [Xu et al 1993], but did not adjust for potential confounders, including cigarette smoking, a potential source of lead exposure. Another small study of 22 German volunteers with mean semen lead level of 98 mg/L did not find significant correlations between lead level and sperm parameters [Noack-Fuller et al 1993]. The population was not described and there was no adjustment for potential confounders.…”

Section: Animal and In-vitro Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adverse Effects of Low Level Heavy Metal Exposure on Male Reproductive Function

Wirth

Mijal

2010

Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine

245

164

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Lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, often referred to as ''heavy metals'', are toxic for wildlife, experimental animals, and humans. While experimental animal and human occupational studies with high exposure levels generally support an adverse role for these metals in human reproductive outcomes, information on the effects of low, environmentally-realistic exposure levels of these metals on male reproductive outcomes is limited. We review the literature on effects of exposure to low levels of these metals on measures of male fertility (semen quality and reproductive hormone levels) and provide supporting evidence from experimental and occupational studies. Potentially modifying effects of genetic polymorphisms on these associations are discussed. A brief review of the literature on the effects of three trace metals, copper, manganese, and molybdenum, that are required for human health, yet may also cause adverse reproductive effects, follows. Overall, there were few studies examining the effects of exposure to low levels of these metals on male reproductive health. For all metals, there were several well-designed studies with sufficient populations appropriately adjusted for potential confounders and many of these reported harmful effects. However, many studies lacked sufficient numbers of participants to be able to detect differences in outcomes between exposed and non-exposed individuals, did not clearly identify the source and characteristics of the participants, and did not control for other exposures that could alter or contribute to the outcomes. The evidence for the effects of low exposure was strongest for cadmium, lead, and mercury and less certain for arsenic. The potential modifying effects of genetic polymorphisms has not been fully explored. Additional studies on the reproductive effects of these toxic ubiquitous metals on male reproduction are required to expand the knowledge base and to resolve inconsistencies.

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Cadmium, lead, selenium, and zinc in semen of occupationally unexposed men

Cited by 71 publications

References 24 publications

Cadmium Concentrations in Blood and Seminal Plasma: Correlations with Sperm Number and Motility in Three Male Populations (Infertility Patients, Artificial Insemination Donors, and Unselected Volunteers)

Cadmium Concentrations in Blood and Seminal Plasma: Correlations with Sperm Number and Motility in Three Male Populations (Infertility Patients, Artificial Insemination Donors, and Unselected Volunteers)

Reproductive Toxicity of Metals in Men

Adverse Effects of Low Level Heavy Metal Exposure on Male Reproductive Function

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