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Semen quality and reproductive endocrinal function related to blood lead levels in infertile painters
Author(s) -
Hosni H.,
Selim O.,
Abbas M.,
Fathy A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2012.01322.x
Subject(s) - prolactin , semen , sperm motility , testosterone (patch) , semen quality , sperm , medicine , endocrinology , infertility , hormone , follicle stimulating hormone , semen analysis , physiology , andrology , biology , luteinizing hormone , pregnancy , genetics
Summary 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 ( P b B ) 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 P b B 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 P b B and all endocrinal parameters. Patients with P b B ≥ 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.