Correlation between lead and cadmium concentration and semen quality

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Reproductive Biology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Conflicting reports exist regarding the association between lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) exposure and declining semen quality.
• Environmental exposure to heavy metals is a growing concern for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between seminal lead and cadmium levels at environmental concentrations and semen quality parameters in men.
• To compare metal concentrations in semen between fertile and infertile men.

Main Methods:

• Semen analysis was performed on healthy fertile and infertile men aged 20-43 years according to WHO 2010 guidelines.
• Seminal concentrations of lead and cadmium were quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES).

Main Results:

• Lead and cadmium levels were significantly higher in infertile subjects compared to fertile controls.
• A negative correlation was observed between seminal lead or cadmium concentration and sperm concentration, sperm motility, and percentage of abnormal spermatozoa.
• The study identified specific ranges of lead (5.29-7.25 μg/dL) and cadmium (4.07-5.92 μg/dL) associated with altered semen profiles.

Conclusions:

• Environmental exposure to lead and cadmium may adversely affect male semen quality.
• Factors such as age, diet, smoking, and tobacco chewing habits may influence individual exposure levels to lead and cadmium.