title: Low blood lead concentration in association with infertility in women.
abstract: This study investigated the relationship between low-level lead exposure and risk of infertility in women. Study participants consisted of 64 cases recruited at a private infertility clinic and 83 control women from the postpartum clinic unit at a medical center in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. With informed consent, venous blood samples were obtained from subjects, during their early follicular phases (the 1st to 5th days of the menstrual cycle), for measuring concentrations of lead and hormones. Information on other potential risk factors associated with infertility, including reproductive history, Chinese herbal Medicine use, dairy product consumption, residential environment, and sociodemographic status, was obtained during an in-person interview. The mean blood lead level (BLL) in infertile women was significantly higher than that in controls (3.55 vs 2.78 microg/dL, P=0.007). Compared to women with BLL < or = 2.5 microg/dL, women with BLL>2.5 microg/dL were associated with a threefold increased risk for infertility (adjusted odds ratio=2.94, 95% confidence interval 1.18-7.34), after controlling for age, body mass index, smoking, Chinese herbal Medicine use, and irregular menstruation. Women's BLL was a significant predictor of the serum estradiol concentration also. These findings suggest an important role of very low BLL in the risk of infertility in women.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Hao
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Bi-Hua
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Su-Long
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hung-Yi
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Chun-Yuh
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Fung-Chang
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Trong-Neng
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007854:Lead; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone