title: Hormonal Perturbations in Occupationally Exposed Nickel Workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nickel exposure is recognized as an endocrine disruptor because of its adverse effects on reproduction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate the possible testiculo-hormonal perturbations on workers occupationally exposed to nickel and to assess its effects on human male sexual function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional comparative study, comprising 105 electroplating male non-smoker, non-alcoholic workers exposed to soluble nickel and 60 controls was done. Serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone levels and urinary nickel concentrations were determined for the studied groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, urinary nickel and the simultaneous incidence of more than one sexual disorder were significantly higher in the exposed workers compared to controls. The occurrence of various types of sexual disorders (decreased libido, impotence and premature ejaculation) in the exposed workers was 9.5, 5.1 and 4.4 folds respectively than the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to nickel produces possible testiculo-hormonal perturbations in those exposed workers.
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Occupational Medicine Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Safia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beshir
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Occupational Medicine Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Khadiga Salah
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Occupational Medicine Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Weam
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shaheen
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Occupational Medicine Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Eman M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Shahy
keywords: FSH; LH; Nickel; Testosterone; sexual problems