Original Article
Semen quality and reproductive endocrinal function related to blood lead levels in infertile painters
H. Hosni,
O. Selim,
M. Abbas,
A. Fathy,
H. Hosni
Department of Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Search for more papers by this authorO. Selim
Department of Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Search for more papers by this authorM. Abbas
Department of Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
A. Fathy
Department of Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni Sweif University, Egypt
Correspondence
Dr. Ahmed Fathy Shaheen, Samir Abbas Medical Centre-Al Diwan Commercial Centre-Al Dhahran Street, P.O.Box 3093, Al Khobar 31952, Saudi Arabia.
Tel.:+ 966 3 8944444;
Fax: + 966 3 8971111;
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorH. Hosni,
O. Selim,
M. Abbas,
A. Fathy,
H. Hosni
Department of Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Search for more papers by this authorO. Selim
Department of Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Search for more papers by this authorM. Abbas
Department of Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
A. Fathy
Department of Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni Sweif University, Egypt
Correspondence
Dr. Ahmed Fathy Shaheen, Samir Abbas Medical Centre-Al Diwan Commercial Centre-Al Dhahran Street, P.O.Box 3093, Al Khobar 31952, Saudi Arabia.
Tel.:+ 966 3 8944444;
Fax: + 966 3 8971111;
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorSummary
Lead causes male reproductive impairment among painters, but information is still limited. Therefore, the effect of lead on semen quality and reproductive endocrinal function in those patients was investigated. A case series of 27 infertile painters were subjected to semen analysis, measuring of blood lead level (PbB) and serum levels of endocrinal parameters including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), testosterone (T) and prolactin (PRL). Significantly lower sperm count and motility were found in those with duration of exposure (≥15 years), but no significant difference was found for PbB and serum levels of FSH, LH, PRL and T. A significant negative correlation between PbB and spermatic count and motility was observed, while there was no significant correlation between PbB and all endocrinal parameters. Patients with PbB ≥20 μg dl−1 showed a significant decrease in sperm motility and increase in testosterone alone among all measured hormones. But the observed decrease in sperm count did not reach a significant level. It is concluded that infertile painters are at risk of lead-related influence on semen quality, especially sperm motility and increased testosterone level without significant affection of other reproductive endocrinal parameters.
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