Extremely low seminal lead concentrations and male fertility

Seminal lead concentrations in normal and vasectomized males with no history of lead exposure were measured by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Extremely low concentrations of 3.8 micrograms/dl were found in normal males versus 4.1 micrograms/dl in vasectomized males. No significant correlation between lead and sperm count or sperm motility existed. It is suggested that the major contribution of lead in human semen is from the prostate and/or seminal vesicles and that very low lead levels may not have measurable effect on fertility indices.