title: Antioxidant enzymes status and reproductive health of adult male workers exposed to brick kiln pollutants in Pakistan.
abstract: The present study was designed to study the effect of brick kilns emissions on the reproductive health and biochemical status of brick kiln workers and people living in the area near brick kilns. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly reduced in brick makers, carriers, and bakers compared to the control. Red blood cells count and hematocrit (%) were significantly high in brick bakers while MCH was significantly reduced in brick makers and brick bakers. Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and chromium) concentration in whole blood of the brick kiln workers were significantly higher as compared to the control. Antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, POD, GSH, and GR) were significantly reduced in brick kiln workers as compared to the control while TBARS level were significantly high in brick bakers as compared to the control. Plasma leutinizing hormone (LH) was significantly high in brick bakers while testosterone concentrations were significantly reduced in brick makers, carriers, and bakers. The present study shows that brick kiln workers and people living in the brick kiln vicinity are exposed to heavy metals and other pollutants that is a serious threat to their health. Alternate technology is needed to be developed and brick kilns should be replaced.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. drsarwatjahan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sarwat
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8363-4196
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jahan
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Samreen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Falah
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Hizb
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ullah
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Asad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ullah
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Naveed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rauf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010154:Pakistan; D060728:Reproductive Health; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy
keywords: Brick kilns; Catalase; Glutathione; Heavy metals; Testosterone