title: Role of endometrial concentrations of heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic) in the aetiology of unexplained infertility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the role of endometrial concentrations of heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic) in the aetiology of unexplained infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three women with unexplained infertility and 32 fertile women were recruited. Endometrial biopsies were collected during the putative window of implantation (cycle days 20-24). The concentrations of cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic were measured in endometrial biopsy specimens using atomic absorption spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cadmium was detected in 91% (30/33) of women with unexplained infertility, compared with 34% (11/32) of fertile women. The median endometrial cadmium concentration was 19.58 (interquartile range 1.46-30.23)μg/l in women with unexplained infertility, compared with 0.00 (interquartile range 0.00-0.40)μg/l in fertile women. Lead was detected in 15% (5/33) of women with unexplained infertility and 3% (1/32) of fertile women. Mercury and arsenic were not detected in any endometrial samples from either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant difference in endometrial cadmium concentration was found between women with unexplained infertility and fertile women. This suggests that cadmium may be a contributing factor in the aetiology of unexplained infertility.
authors: Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Tanrıkut
authors: Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. Electronic address: drkaraer@yahoo.com.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Karaer
authors: Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Celik
authors: Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Celik
authors: Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Otlu
authors: Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Yilmaz
authors: Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Ozgul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury; D001151:Arsenic
keywords: Arsenic; Cadmium; Lead; Mercury; Unexplained infertility