Improvement in semen quality associated with decreasing occupational lead exposure

Viskum, Sven; Rabjerg, Lene; Jørgensen, Poul J.; Grandjean, Philippe

doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199903)35:3<257::aid-ajim5>3.0.co;2-#

Cited by 33 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…However, some studies have reported the possibility of adverse health effects even at lower PbB levels suggesting that there is no safe level of exposure (Canfield et al, 2003). Viskum et al (1999) reported that occupational lead exposure at acceptable levels has a small adverse effect on sperm quality, especially sperm motility. 20 lg dl À1 (n = 11), while no significant difference was reported as regards spermatic count and abnormal forms when compared with the group PbB 20 lg dl À1 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Semen quality and reproductive endocrinal function related to blood lead levels in infertile painters

et al. 2012

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Lead causes male reproductive impairment among painters, but information is still limited. Therefore, the effect of lead on semen quality and reproductive endocrinal function in those patients was investigated. A case series of 27 infertile painters were subjected to semen analysis, measuring of blood lead level (PbB) and serum levels of endocrinal parameters including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), testosterone (T) and prolactin (PRL). Significantly lower sperm count and motility were found in those with duration of exposure (≥ 15 years), but no significant difference was found for PbB and serum levels of FSH, LH, PRL and T. A significant negative correlation between PbB and spermatic count and motility was observed, while there was no significant correlation between PbB and all endocrinal parameters. Patients with PbB ≥ 20 μg dl(-1) showed a significant decrease in sperm motility and increase in testosterone alone among all measured hormones. But the observed decrease in sperm count did not reach a significant level. It is concluded that infertile painters are at risk of lead-related influence on semen quality, especially sperm motility and increased testosterone level without significant affection of other reproductive endocrinal parameters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Semen quality and reproductive endocrinal function related to blood lead levels in infertile painters

et al. 2012

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“…Consistent with the findings in our study, a longitudinal study of Danish battery workers found no improvement of sperm concentration along with a decline in blood lead concentration from about 40 to 20 µg/dl. 6 From a comprehensive study in rabbits Moorman et al estimated a threshold for total sperm count of 23.7 µg/dl. 9 Taking random variation and noise in an epidemiological study into account this is not entirely different from the 44 µg/dl found in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm count and chromatin structure in men exposed to inorganic lead: lowest adverse effect levels

Bonde

2002

Occup Environ Med

176

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Objectives: To obtain knowledge on male reproductive toxicity of inorganic lead at current European exposure levels and to establish lowest adverse effect levels, if any. Methods: A cross sectional survey of the semen of 503 men employed by 10 companies was conducted in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Belgium. The mean blood lead concentration was 31.0 µg/dl (range 4.6-64.5) in 362 workers exposed to lead and 4.4 µg/dl (range below the detection limit of 19.8) in 141 reference workers. Semen volume and sperm concentration were determined in a fresh semen sample according to an agreed protocol subject to quality assurance. The sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) was performed at a centralised laboratory. Extraneous determinants including centre, period of sexual abstinence, and age were taken into account in the statistical analysis. If appropriate, possible thresholds were examined by iterative threshold slope linear regression. Results: The median sperm concentration was reduced by 49% in men with blood lead concentration above 50 µg/dl. There was no indication of a linear trend of lower sperm concentration with increasing blood lead values, but threshold slope least square regression identified a blood lead concentration of 44 µg/dl (β=−0.037, F=4.35, p=0.038) as a likely threshold. Abnormal sperm chromatin structure was not related to blood lead concentration, but some indications of deterioration of sperm chromatin was found in men with the highest concentrations of lead within spermatozoa. Biological monitoring data did not indicate long term effects of lead on semen quantity or sperm chromatin. Conclusion: Adverse effects of lead on sperm concentration and susceptibility to acid induced denaturation of sperm chromatin are unlikely at blood lead concentrations below 45 µg/dl. Effects of low level exposure to lead on other measures of testicular function cannot be ruled out. S everal occupational surveys have linked exposure to inorganic lead with reduced sperm count and other signs of male reproductive toxicity, 1-6 although these findings were not corroborated in a recent South African study. 7 Most effects have been reported in men with blood lead concentrations above current regulatory thresholds of 50-60 µg/dl. 4The evidence in humans is supported by compelling evidence in mice, rats, and rabbits.8 9 The mechanism of male reproductive toxicity has not been characterised in any detail. It is not known whether the main mode of action is disruption of the hormonal regulation of spermatogenesis, direct toxicity to the seminiferous tubules, or both.Because of declining concentrations of lead in industry and the environment in several countries, 10-14 it has become a public health priority to obtain knowledge on male reproductive toxicity of inorganic lead at low levels of exposure and to establish lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAEL), if any. Studies in rabbits indicate the existence of LOAEL for several indicators of testicular function, 9 but the available human data do not allow quantitative ex...

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“…Occupational activities involving exposure to specific chemicals or expositions to toxicants may impair male reproductive health and cause infertility in humans [27,37,[42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational and Lifestyle Exposures on Male Infertility: A Mini Review

Ten¹,

Mendiola²,

Torres-Cantero³

et al. 2008

TORSJ

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Human semen quality may be declining due to environmental pollutants, occupational exposures or changes in lifestyle. Nonetheless, we still know little about the impact of those factors on male fertility. Some heavy metals, volatile organic compounds or xenoestrogens may compromise reproductive male function. This process could take place along the human life cycle and not only in certain stages of development. We review the main factors that affect human male fertility and their possible influence in current human reproduction.

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Improvement in semen quality associated with decreasing occupational lead exposure

Cited by 33 publications

References 29 publications

Semen quality and reproductive endocrinal function related to blood lead levels in infertile painters

Semen quality and reproductive endocrinal function related to blood lead levels in infertile painters

Sperm count and chromatin structure in men exposed to inorganic lead: lowest adverse effect levels

Occupational and Lifestyle Exposures on Male Infertility: A Mini Review

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