Occupational and environmental mercury exposure and human reproductive health - a review

Mercury is a toxic heavy metal. Humans are exposed to mercury through several sources including environmental, occupational, contaminated food and water and from mercury-containing dental amalgam. Mercury exposure is known to harm the nervous system profoundly, and have a negative impact on digestive and immune systems, and other organs. To review and discuss the effect of mercury exposure through environmental or occupational routes on human reproduction, pregnancy, and its outcome. Published information about the potential toxic effects of mercury on human reproduction were collected and summarized. Literature was identified by systematic search using relevant keywords. Literature review revealed a number of negative impacts of mercury on human reproduction. These included effects on semen quality, including reduced sperm count, motility, and changes in morphology that may reduce fertility potential. There may also be an effect in changing reproductive hormone levels. Mercury exposure might also affect pregnancy but the data concerning mercury effects on female reproduction are limited except for some data about mercury exposure and poor pregnancy outcomes. Available data indicate that mercury exposure may have a toxicity effect on reproductive potential, especially in males. Prenatal mercury exposure may affect pregnancy or its outcome and this appears to be dependent upon dose, duration, and timing of exposure. Nutritional status of exposed individual might also influence the impact of mercury.