title: Effect of lead and organophosphates on sperm morphology.
abstract: Lead and organophosphates can exert a toxic action on the male reproductive function. A cross-sectional study involving 40 men was undertaken to investigate the effect of these toxins on sperm morphology. Based on the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa, subjects were divided into two groups. The control group (sperm morphology greater than or equal to 20% normal forms) consisted of 18 patients, and the study group (sperm morphology less than 5% normal forms) consisted of 22 patients. Lead, pseudocholinesterase, dibucaine, and fluoride levels were measured in blood samples of these men. The 22 men with low morphologically normal forms (less than 5%) did not display significantly different levels of the abovementioned substances compared to the control group.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Biology Unit, Tygberberg Hospital, South Africa.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Swart
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Menkveld
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schabort
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lombard
mesh_terms: D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000097:blood; D003992:Dibucaine / Q000097:blood; D005459:Fluorides / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D007854:Lead; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase; D003992:Dibucaine; D005459:Fluorides