title: Environmental pollution due to cadmium: measure of semen quality as a marker of exposure and correlation with reproductive potential.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Contradictory reports exist in the literature regarding an association of cadmium with parameters of semen quality. The aim of the study was to assess cadmium levels in both blood and seminal plasma and to analyze the relationships between cadmium concentrations and lifestyle and semen parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty healthy male volunteers were recruited to provide semen and blood samples. Each patient completed an extensive questionnaire regarding his occupation, residence, social status, diet, water source, smoking habits, and medical and surgical history. Semen analysis was carried out according to WHO guidelines. Detection of cadmium in both semen and blood samples was carried out by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean concentrations of cadmium were 8.18 ± 1.6 ng/ml in blood samples and 2.56 ± 0.9 ng/ml in semen samples. Cadmium blood levels were significantly higher in men from industrialized areas and in current smokers, but were not correlated with semen levels. A significant positive correlation was found between cadmium blood levels, number of immotile spermatozoa, and teratozoospermia index (TZI). Significant inverse relationships between cadmium blood concentration and type-a and type a + b motility were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present data show a significant correlation between blood cadmium concentrations, cigarette smoking, occupational exposure, and parameters of semen quality. Such a reduction in spermiogenetic function could be an early marker of a toxic effect by cadmium pollution.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Franciscis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ianniello
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Labriola
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vagnetti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mainini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trotta
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mele
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Campitiello
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caprio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012098:Reproduction; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002104:Cadmium