title: A pilot study of seafood consumption and exposure to mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic among infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
abstract: This cross-sectional pilot study was conducted to assess environmental exposures to toxic elements through seafood consumption, among infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Twenty-five women and 15 men completed a questionnaire, and provided biologic specimens for quantification of Hg, Pb, Cd, and As using ICP-MS. Consumption of 'mollusks' and 'shellfish' are associated with increased blood Hg. Other seafood consumption predicts blood Pb, and urine Cd and As. Though limited by small numbers and the cross-sectional design, these results suggest that consumption of specific seafood items increases exposure to toxic elements in couples undergoing IVF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, United States.
authors.forename: Dongsul
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bloom
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Edward F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Steuerwald
authors.forename: Victor Y
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017747:Seafood; D012758:Shellfish
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D001151:Arsenic