Background: Many studies have shown elevated levels of toxic metals in blood and in seminal plasma and impaired fertility in industrial workers exposed to heavy metals. Less clear is the role of environmental heavy metal exposure and male fertility. Objectives: To investigate the relationships between occupational exposure, smoking, and heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Ni, Cd, As, V) concentrations in men living in an area at environmental risk. Methods: Ninety six men with mean (±SEM) age of 33.2±0.6 years, living in Melilli (Priolo-Augusta-Melilli industrial triangle in Eastern Sicily, Italy), were recruited. Of these, 53.1% were industrial workers, 37.5% were smokers, and 15.6% were industrial workers and smokers. Blood and seminal plasma Pb, Hg, Cd, Ni, As, V concentrations were measured by a Perkin-Elmer-Elan DRC-e ICP-MS. Sperm parameters were evaluated according to the WHO 1999 guidelines. Results: Industrial workers had higher median concentrations of Pb (10.96 vs. 9.40), Hg (5.80 vs. 4.64), and Ni (13.34 vs. 10.02) in blood (μg/L); and Pb (25.37 vs. 20.22), Cd (1.57 vs. 1.15), and As (2.90 vs. 2.43) in the seminal plasma (μg/L) compared with non-industrial workers. Smokers had higher median concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Hg in blood and V in the seminal plasma vs. non smokers, both in industrial and non-industrial workers. Eighty out of 96 (83.3%) men had asthenozoospermia. Conclusions: Occupational and environmental exposure to heavy metals results in higher levels of these toxicants in blood and seminal plasma and this is associated with sperm motility impairment. This study was supported in part by funding from the Frisone Foundation (project “Ambiente e Salute”). Keywords: Occupational Exposure, Heavy Meatls, Smoking, Sperm Motility
Relationships between Occupational Exposure and Heavy Metal Levels in Men Living in an Eastern Sicily Industrial Area
FIORE, MARIA;FERRANTE, Margherita;Condorelli RA;LA VIGNERA, SANDRO SALVUCCIO MARIA;CALOGERO, Aldo Eugenio;VICARI, Enzo Saretto
2012-01-01
Abstract
Background: Many studies have shown elevated levels of toxic metals in blood and in seminal plasma and impaired fertility in industrial workers exposed to heavy metals. Less clear is the role of environmental heavy metal exposure and male fertility. Objectives: To investigate the relationships between occupational exposure, smoking, and heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Ni, Cd, As, V) concentrations in men living in an area at environmental risk. Methods: Ninety six men with mean (±SEM) age of 33.2±0.6 years, living in Melilli (Priolo-Augusta-Melilli industrial triangle in Eastern Sicily, Italy), were recruited. Of these, 53.1% were industrial workers, 37.5% were smokers, and 15.6% were industrial workers and smokers. Blood and seminal plasma Pb, Hg, Cd, Ni, As, V concentrations were measured by a Perkin-Elmer-Elan DRC-e ICP-MS. Sperm parameters were evaluated according to the WHO 1999 guidelines. Results: Industrial workers had higher median concentrations of Pb (10.96 vs. 9.40), Hg (5.80 vs. 4.64), and Ni (13.34 vs. 10.02) in blood (μg/L); and Pb (25.37 vs. 20.22), Cd (1.57 vs. 1.15), and As (2.90 vs. 2.43) in the seminal plasma (μg/L) compared with non-industrial workers. Smokers had higher median concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Hg in blood and V in the seminal plasma vs. non smokers, both in industrial and non-industrial workers. Eighty out of 96 (83.3%) men had asthenozoospermia. Conclusions: Occupational and environmental exposure to heavy metals results in higher levels of these toxicants in blood and seminal plasma and this is associated with sperm motility impairment. This study was supported in part by funding from the Frisone Foundation (project “Ambiente e Salute”). Keywords: Occupational Exposure, Heavy Meatls, Smoking, Sperm MotilityFile | Dimensione | Formato | |
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