Mapping Fifteen Trace Elements in Human Seminal Plasma and Sperm DNA.
Studies suggest a relationship between semen quality and the concentration of trace elements in serum or seminal plasma. However, trace elements may be linked to DNA and capable of altering the gene expression patterns. Thus, trace element interactions with DNA may contribute to the mechanisms for a trans-generational reproductive effect. We developed an analytical method to determine the amount of trace elements bound to the sperm DNA, and to estimate their affinity for the sperm DNA by the ratio: R = Log [metal concentration in the sperm DNA/metal concentration in seminal plasma]. We then analyzed the concentrations of 15 trace elements (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti, V, Zn, As, Sb, and Se) in the seminal plasma and the sperm DNA in 64 normal and 30 abnormal semen specimens with Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This study showed all trace elements were detected in the seminal plasma and only metals were detected in the sperm DNA. There was no correlation between the metals' concentrations in the seminal plasma and the sperm DNA. Al had the highest affinity for DNA followed by Pb and Cd. This strong affinity is consistent with the known mutagenic effects of these metals. The lowest affinity was observed for Zn and Ti. We observed a significant increase of Al linked to the sperm DNA of patients with oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia. Al's reproductive toxicity might be due to Al linked to DNA, by altering spermatogenesis and expression patterns of genes involved in the function of reproduction.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Education Sciences, School of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.|IMBE, UMR CNRS, IRD, Faculté de Médecine, Aix Marseille Université, Avignon Université, Marseille, France.
Sazan
S
Ali
IMBE, UMR CNRS, IRD, Faculté de Médecine, Aix Marseille Université, Avignon Université, Marseille, France. Florence.chaspoul@univ-amu.fr.|Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Prévention des risques et Nuisances Technologiques, Faculté de Pharmacie, Marseille, France. Florence.chaspoul@univ-amu.fr.
Florence
F
Chaspoul
Methodological Assistance Unity for Clinical Research, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Marseille, France.
Loundou
L
Anderson
IMBE, UMR CNRS, IRD, Faculté de Médecine, Aix Marseille Université, Avignon Université, Marseille, France.|Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Prévention des risques et Nuisances Technologiques, Faculté de Pharmacie, Marseille, France.
David
D
Bergé-Lefranc
IMBE, UMR CNRS, IRD, Faculté de Médecine, Aix Marseille Université, Avignon Université, Marseille, France.|Department of Gynecology Obstetrics and Reproduction (Gynepole), CECOS Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, AP-HM La Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
Vincent
V
Achard
IMBE, UMR CNRS, IRD, Faculté de Médecine, Aix Marseille Université, Avignon Université, Marseille, France.|Department of Gynecology Obstetrics and Reproduction (Gynepole), CECOS Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, AP-HM La Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
Jeanne
J
Perrin
IMBE, UMR CNRS, IRD, Faculté de Médecine, Aix Marseille Université, Avignon Université, Marseille, France.|Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Prévention des risques et Nuisances Technologiques, Faculté de Pharmacie, Marseille, France.
Philippe
P
Gallice
IMBE, UMR CNRS, IRD, Faculté de Médecine, Aix Marseille Université, Avignon Université, Marseille, France.
Marie
M
Guichaoua
D000328:Adult; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*
D014131:Trace Elements; D004247:DNA
DNA adducts; Mutations; Reproductive toxicant; Seminal plasma; Sperm DNA; Trace elements