title: Cadmium delays puberty onset and testis growth in adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cadmium (Cd) has been shown to impair pubertal development in experimental animals. However, no data are available for male adolescents with increased urinary cadmium levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate pubertal onset and pituitary-gonadal axis hormones in male adolescents with increased urinary levels of Cd.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 111 males, aged 12-14 years living in the Milazzo-Valle del Mela area. A control age-matched population (n = 60) living 28-45 km far from the industrial site was also enrolled.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pubertal stages were assessed by clinical examination according to Tanner's score. Mean testicular volume was also investigated by ultrasound examination. Urinary Cd concentration and blood levels of FSH, LH, testosterone and inhibin B were also investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cd levels were significantly higher in adolescents living in the Milazzo-Valle del Mela area, compared to both age-matched subjects living far from the industrial plants and the reference values. Our population showed also a delayed onset of puberty, a smaller testicular volume and lower testosterone levels. An inverse correlation was found between urinary Cd and testicular volume (r = -0·25; P = 0·0008), testosterone levels (Spearman's r = -0·0·37; two-tailed P < 0·0001) and LH levels (Spearman's r = 0·048; P < 0·05). Testosterone levels were positively correlated with testicular volume (Spearman's r = 0·48; P < 0·0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study, for the first time, suggests that increased Cd burden is associated with delayed onset of puberty in male adolescents and impaired testicular growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Interdonato
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pizzino
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bitto
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galfo
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Irrera
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mecchio
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pallio
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric, Gynaecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramistella
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric, Gynaecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric, Gynaecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santamaria
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Letteria
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Minutoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Squadrito
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric, Gynaecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Altavilla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002104:Cadmium / Q000652:urine*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D016014:Linear Models; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D011627:Puberty / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology* / Q000652:urine*; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: C422364:inhibin B; D002104:Cadmium; D013739:Testosterone; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone