Biomonitoring of blood heavy metals and reproductive hormone level related to low semen quality.
Reproductive hormones and exposure to environmental metals are correlated with low-quality semen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of heavy metals and reproductive hormones in the blood in addition to other relevant factors to clarify the relationship between these factors and semen quality. We recruited 154 male participants from a reproductive medical center. All participants were provided with a questionnaire on lifestyle implementation. The levels of metals in the blood were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The levels of hormones in the blood were determined using an automatic gamma counter. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to predict the effects of statistically significant risk factors on semen quality by adjusting for relevant confounders and modifiers. After adjusting for the age, education level, and related factors in the multiple logistic regression analyses, we observed that the increased blood Pb levels were significantly and positively associated with low semen quality. High blood Pb levels (>50 μg/L) had an 11-fold risk of low semen quality. Our results suggest that progressive motility sperm may be a sensitive indicator of the semen quality among all the semen parameters in Taiwan.
School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
Ching-Jen
CJ
Li
School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
Ching-Ying
CY
Yeh
School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
Ruey-Yu
RY
Chen
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei 110, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, No. 252, Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
Chii-Ruey
CR
Tzeng
School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
Bor-Cheng
BC
Han
School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei 110, Taiwan. Electronic address: lcchien@tmu.edu.tw.
Ling-Chu
LC
Chien
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004522:Educational Status; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects; D055101:Semen Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013624:Taiwan
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D007854:Lead
Lead (Pb); Low semen quality; Reproductive hormones