A qualidade do sémen e toxicidade de metais pesados e pesticidas

Male reproductive function has deteriorated significantly in the past 50 years and this change could be related to an exposure to occupational and environmental pollutants and toxicants. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the negative impact of human exposure to heavy metals and pesticides on the male reproductive function. Most pesticides and heavy metals are considered reproductive toxicants and may adversely harm the male reproductive system due to their disrupting effect on the hypothalamus- pituitary gland-gonads axis or by directly affecting spermatogenesis, resulting in impaired semen quality. The negative effects of these compounds have been linked to the main sperm parameters (concentration, normal morphology and motility, semen volume and total sperm count) and DNA sperm damage, as well as to changes in serum reproductive hormone levels. Some of these substances have already been banned, whereas others are still on the market. Stricter laws are needed to completely prevent exposure to these toxicants given their proven deleterious effect on male reproductive health.La función reproductiva masculina se ha visto deteriorada significativamente en los últimos 50 años y dicha alteración podría estar relacionada con la exposición a diferentes tóxicos y contaminantes ocupacionales y ambientales. El objetivo de este trabajo es resumir el impacto de la exposición humana a metales pesados y plaguicidas sobre la función reproductiva masculina. La mayoría de los plaguicidas y metales pesados se consideran tóxicos reproductivos y podrían afectar negativamente al sistema reproductivo masculino debido al efecto alterador sobre el eje hipotálamo-pituitario-gonadal, o directamente afectando a la espermatogénesis, dando lugar a una alteración de la calidad seminal. Los efectos negativos de estos compuestos se han relacionado con los principales parámetros espermáticos (concentración, morfología y movilidad normal, volumen seminal y recuento total espermático), alteración del ADN espermático, así como con cambios en los niveles de hormonas reproductivas. El uso de algunas de estas sustancias ya está prohibido mientras que se continúa comercializando con otras. Sería recomendable una legislación más severa que impida cualquier exposición a este tipo de tóxicos debido a su confirmado efecto perjudicial sobre la salud reproductiva masculina.A função reprodutiva masculina tem-se deteriorado significativamente ao longo dos últimos 50 anos e essa alteração pode estar relacionada com a exposição a diferentes tóxicos e contaminantes ocupacionais e ambientais. O objetivo deste artigo é resumir o impacto da exposição humana a metais pesados e pesticidas na função reprodutiva masculina. Considera-se que a maioria dos pesticidas e metais pesados tem um efeito de toxicidade reprodutiva e podem afetar negativamente o sistema reprodutor masculino, devido às alterações que provocam no eixo hipotalámico-hipofisário-gonadal ou ao efeito direto na espermatogénese diminuindo a qualidade seminal. Os efeitos negativos destes compostos têm sido associados com os principais parâmetros do esperma (concentração, morfologia e mobilidade normal, volume seminal e contagem total de espermatozoides), alteração do ADN espermático, bem como as variações nos níveis de hormonas reprodutivas. O uso de algumas dessas substâncias já é proibido contudo outras continuam ainda a poder ser comercializadas. Seria aconselhável legislação mais rigorosa para evitar qualquer exposição a estes tóxicos devido ao seu efeito prejudicial confirmado na saúde reprodutiva masculina

A ingestão de álcool e qualidade do sêmen em homens jovens saudáveis

Over the past 50 years it has been suggested a worldwide decline in human semen quality, probably being lifestyles one of the main factors concerned. Our objectives are to describe semen quality and alcohol consumption in young university students and to explore the associations between alcohol intake and semen quality in young healthy men. A cross-sectional study was carried out between 2010 and 2011 in the Murcia Region (Spain) and included healthy young university students between 18-23 years of age. Two hundred and nine men completed questionnaires on lifestyle and diet, undertook a physical and andrological examination and provided a semen sample. Descriptive statistics are presented using untransformed data. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to analyze the associations between alcohol intake and semen quality in young men. The median (interquartile range: IQR) values for semen parameters were 42.9 x 106/mL (IQR: 21.9-72.2 x 106/mL) for sperm concentration, 8.9 % (IQR: 6.0-13.9 %) for morphologically normal sperm, and 57.2 % (IQR: 50.7-63.8 %) for sperm motility (progessive and non-progressive). There were no significant associations between alcohol consumption and any sperm parameters. Our results do not support the hypothesis that alcohol intake is related with sperm quality parameters probably due to the low alcohol consumption range in our population of healthy, unselected young men. In conclusion, moderate alcohol consumption is not associated with semen quality in young university students of Murcia Region (Spain).En los últimos 50 años se ha sugerido una disminución global de la concentración espermática humana, siendo los hábitos de vida uno de los principales determinantes señalados. El objetivo de este estudio es describir el consumo de alcohol y la calidad seminal en jóvenes varones universitarios e investigar las asociaciones entre ambas características. Se trata de un estudio transversal que se llevó a cabo en la Región de Murcia (España) entre 2010 y 2011. Los participantes fueron jóvenes universitarios sanos entre 18 y 23 años. Doscientos nueve varones cumplimentaron cuestionarios sobre hábitos de vida y alimentación, se sometieron a un examen físico y andrológico y proporcionaron una muestra seminal. Los estadísticos descriptivos se muestran como datos crudos. Para analizar las asociaciones entre consumo de alcohol y calidad seminal se realizaron análisis de regresión lineal múltiple. Los valores de la mediana y rango intercuartil (RIC) de los parámetros seminales analizados fueron los siguientes: 42,9 x 106/mL (RIC: 21,9-72,2 x 106/mL) de concentración espermática, 8,9 % (RIC: 6,0-13,9 %) de espermatozoides morfológicamente normales, y 57,2 % (RIC: 50,7-63,8 %) de movilidad espermática (progresiva y no progresiva). No se encontraron asociaciones significativamente estadísticas entre el consumo de alcohol y los distintos parámetros seminales. Nuestros resultados no respaldan la hipótesis de que la ingesta de alcohol esté relacionada con la calidad seminal, probablemente debido al bajo rango de consumo de alcohol en nuestra población de estudio. En conclusión, el consumo moderado de alcohol no está relacionado con la calidad seminal en jóvenes universitarios sanos de la Región de Murcia.Nos últimos 50 anos tem sugerido uma diminuição global da concentração de esperma humano e os estilos de vida foram identificados com um dos principais determinantes. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever o consumo de álcool e a qualidade do sémen em jovens universitários e investigar as associações entre estas duas características. Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado na Região de Múrcia (Espanha) entre 2010 e 2011. Os participantes foram estudantes universitários saudáveis, com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e os 23 anos. Duzentos e nove rapazes responderam aos questionários sobre hábitos de vida e alimentação; submeteram-se a um exame físico e andrológico e forneceram uma amostra de sémen. Os resultados da estatística descritiva foram apresentados com dados brutos. Para analisar as associações entre o consumo de álcool e a qualidade do sémen, realizou-se a análise através de regressão linear múltipla. Os valores de mediana e o intervalo interquartil (IQR) em parâmetros do sémen analisados foram os seguintes: 42,9 x 106/mL (IQR, 21,9-72,2 x 106/mL) de concentração de espermatozóides, de 8,9 % (IQR, 6,0-13,9 %) de espermatozóides morfologicamente normais e 57,2 % (IQR, 50,7-63,8 %) da motilidade de espermática (progressiva e não progressiva). Não foram encontradas associações estatisticamente significativas entre o consumo de álcool e os vários parâmetros do esperma. Os nossos resultados não apoiam a hipótese de que o consumo de álcool esteja relacionado com a qualidade do sémen, provavelmente devido ao baixo consumo de álcool na população em estudada. Conclui-se que o consumo moderado de álcool não está relacionado com a qualidade do sémen nos jovens saudáveis da universidade da Região de Murcia

A Longitudinal Study of Peripubertal Serum Organochlorine Concentrations and Semen Parameters in Young Men: The Russian Children’s Study

Background: Exposures to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during critical phases of testicular development may be related to poorer semen parameters. However, few studies have assessed the association between childhood organochlorine (OC) exposure and adult semen parameters. Objective: We examined whether peripubertal serum OC concentrations are associated with semen parameters among young Russian men. Methods: From 2003 through 2005, 516 boys were enrolled at age 8–9 years and followed for up to 10 years. Serum OCs were measured in the enrollment samples using high-resolution mass spectrometry. At 18–19 years, 133 young men provided 1 or 2 semen samples (256 samples) collected approximately 1 week apart, which were analyzed for volume, sperm concentration, and motility. Unadjusted and adjusted linear mixed models were used to examine the associations of quartiles of lipid-standardized concentrations of dioxins [2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs)], furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and corresponding toxic equivalents (TEQs) with semen parameters. Results: The median (range) for TCDD was 2.9 (0.4–12.1) pg/g lipid and PCDD TEQ was 8.7 (1.0–36.0) pg TEQ/g lipid. Higher quartiles of TCDD and PCDD TEQs were associated with lower sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total motile sperm count (p-trends ≤ 0.05). The highest quartile of peripubertal serum TCDD concentrations was associated with a decrease (95% CI) of 40% (18, 66%), 29% (3, 64%), and 30% (2, 70%) in sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total motile sperm count, respectively, compared with the lowest quartile. Similar associations were observed for serum PCDD TEQs with semen parameters. Serum PCBs, furans, and total TEQs were not associated with semen parameters. Conclusion: Higher peripubertal serum TCDD concentrations and PCDD TEQs were associated with poorer semen parameters. Citation: Mínguez-Alarcón L, Sergeyev O, Burns JS, Williams PL, Lee MM, Korrick SA, Smigulina L, Revich B, Hauser R. 2017. A longitudinal study of peripubertal serum organochlorine concentrations and semen parameters in young men: the Russian Children’s Study. Environ Health Perspect 125:460–466; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP2

Peripubertal serum concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and semen parameters in Russian young men.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic literature on the relation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with semen quality among adult men has been inconclusive, and no studies have prospectively explored the association between peripubertal serum OCPs and semen parameters in young men. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prospective associations of peripubertal serum concentrations of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), β-hexachlorocylohexane (β-HCH), and p,p\u27-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p\u27-DDE) with semen parameters among young Russian men. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 152 young men who enrolled in the Russian Children\u27s Study (2003-2005) at age 8-9 years and were followed annually until young adulthood. HCB, β-HCH, and p,p\u27-DDE concentrations were measured at the CDC by mass spectrometry in serum collected at enrollment. Between 18 and 23 years, semen samples (n = 298) were provided for analysis of volume, concentration, and progressive motility; we also calculated total sperm count and total progressive motile count. Linear mixed models were used to examine the longitudinal associations of quartiles of serum HCB, β-HCH and p,p\u27-DDE with semen parameters, adjusting for total serum lipids, body mass index, smoking, abstinence time and baseline dietary macronutrient intake. RESULTS: Lipid-adjusted medians (IQR) for serum HCB, βHCH and p,ṕ-DDE, respectively, were 150 ng/g lipid (102-243), 172 ng/g lipid (120-257) and 275 ng/g lipid (190-465). In adjusted models, we observed lower ejaculated volume with higher serum concentrations of HCB and βHCH, along with reduced progressive motility with higher concentrations of βHCH andp,ṕ-DDE. Men in the highest quartile of serum HCB had a mean (95% Confidence Interval, CI) ejaculated volume of 2.25 mL (1.89, 2.60), as compared to those in the lowest quartile with a mean (95% CI) of 2.97 mL (2.46, 3.49) (p = 0.03). Also, men in the highest quartile of serum p,ṕ-DDE had a mean (95% CI) progressive motility of 51.1% (48.6, 53.7), as compared to those in the lowest quartile with a mean (95% CI) of 55.1% (51.7, 58.5) (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: In this longitudinal Russian cohort study, peripubertal serum concentrations of selected OCPs were associated with lower ejaculated volume and progressive motility highlighting the importance of the peripubertal window when evaluating chemical exposures in relation to semen quality

Correlations between Different Heavy Metals in Diverse Body Fluids: Studies of Human Semen Quality

It has been hypothesized that exposure to heavy metals may impair male reproduction. To measure the effect produced by low doses of heavy metals on semen parameters, it is necessary to clarify in which body fluids those measurements must be performed. Sixty-one men attending infertility clinics participated in our study. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, and mercury were measured in whole blood, blood plasma, and seminal plasma using spectroanalytical and electrochemical methods. Semen analyses were performed according to World Health Organization criteria. For statistical analysis, Spearman's rank correlations, mean comparison tests, and discriminant analysis were calculated. Significant correlations between the measured concentrations of the three heavy metals in the same biological fluids were observed. However, no similar relationship was seen when comparing the concentrations in different body fluids of the same metal. According to our results and previous publications, seminal plasma might be the best body fluid for assessing impairment of human semen parameters

Risk factors associated with the alteration of human semen quality = Factores de riesgo asociados a la alteración de la calidad seminal humana

Entre 2010 y 2011 se realizó un estudio con jóvenes universitarios en Murcia con el propósito de estudiar la epidemiología de la calidad seminal humana. Para ser incluidos en el estudio, los sujetos tenían que ser estudiantes universitarios de la Región de Murcia, habiendo nacido en España después de 1987 y pudiendo contactar con su madre para rellenar un cuestionario. Los jóvenes universitarios presentaron una menor concentración y recuento total espermático comparado con los sujetos de un estudio de Almería en 2001. En la población de estudio, se encontró una asociación positiva entre la ingesta de antioxidantes y parámetros seminales. Se usaron datos de un estudio de casos y controles previamente realizado para explorar la asociación entre metales pesados y calidad seminal en hombres que acudían a clínicas de infertilidad. No se encontró correlación entre la concentración de ninguno de los metales pesados medidos en sangre total, plasma sanguíneo y plasma seminal. Between 2010 and 2011, a study with young university students with the purpose to study the epidemiology of human semen quality was conducted in Murcia. To be included in the study, subjects had to be university students of the Murcia Region, been born in Spain after December 31, 1987, and able to contact their mother and ask her to complete a questionnaire. Young university students presented significantly lower sperm concentration and total sperm count than those found in a study conducted in Almeria in 2001. A positive association has been found between the dietary intake of antioxidant nutrients and determined semen parameters in the study population. Data from a previous case-control study was used to explore the association between heavy metals and semen quality in men attending infertility clinics. There was no correlation between the concentrations of any of the metals in whole blood, blood plasma and seminal plasma

The influence of fine particulate matter on the association between residential greenness and ovarian reserve.

BACKGROUND: Natural vegetation, or greenness, is thought to improve health through its ability to buffer and reduce harmful environmental exposures as well as relieve stress, promote physical activity, restore attention, and increase social cohesion. In concert, these effects could help mitigate the detrimental effects of air pollution on reproductive aging in women. METHODS: Our analysis included 565 women attending the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center (2004-2014) who had a measured antral follicle count (AFC), a marker of ovarian reserve. We calculated peak residential greenness in the year prior to AFC using 250 m2 normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from the Terra and Aqua satellites operated by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Validated spatiotemporal models estimated daily residential exposure to particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) for the 3 months prior to AFC. Poisson regression models with robust standard errors were used to estimate the association between peak greenness, average PM2.5 exposure, and AFC adjusted for age, BMI, smoking status, education, year, and season. RESULTS: Women in our study had a mean age of 35.2 years with a standard deviation (SD) of 4.3 years (min: 20 years, max: 45 years). The peak residential NDVI ranged from 0.07 to 0.92 with a SD of 0.18. There was no statistically significant association between peak residential greenness and AFC; however, higher exposure to PM2.5 was associated with lower AFC (-6.2% per 2 μg/m3 [1 SD increase] 95% CI -11.8, -0.3). There was a significant interaction between exposure to PM2.5 and peak greenness on AFC (P-interaction: 0.03). Among women with an average PM2.5 exposure of 7 μg/m3, a SD increase in residential peak greenness was associated with a 5.6% (95% CI -0.4, 12.0) higher AFC. Conversely, among women with a PM2.5 exposure of 12 μg/m3, a SD increase in residential peak greenness was associated with a 5.8% (95% CI -13.1, 2.1) lower AFC. CONCLUSIONS: Residing in an area with high levels of greenness may slow reproductive aging in women only when exposure to PM2.5 is low

Association of Urinary Phthalate and Phthalate Replacement Metabolite Concentrations with Serum Lipid Biomarker Levels among Pregnant Women Attending a Fertility Center

We examined whether urinary concentrations of phthalate and phthalate replacement metabolites were associated with lipid biomarker levels among pregnant women. This cross-sectional study included 175 women who enrolled in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study (2005–2017). We used linear regression models to assess the relationship between urinary phthalates and lipid biomarkers [triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), non-HDL, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol] levels while adjusting for confounders. Pregnant women in the highest quartile of urinary mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) had, overall, 14% [31 (95% CI = 6.56) mg/dL], 21% [33 (95% CI = 9.57) mg/dL] and 25% [30 (95% CI = 8.53) mg/dL] higher serum total, non-HDL and LDL cholesterol, respectively, compared to women in the lowest quartile of MECPP. Similar positive associations were found for urinary concentrations of other metabolites of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate. Pregnant women with urinary mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) in the highest quartile had higher triglycerides and non-HDL cholesterol compared to women with MBP in the lowest quartile. Women with detectable concentrations of two phthalate replacement metabolites had lower HDL cholesterol compared to women with non-detectable concentrations. Gestational urinary concentrations of certain phthalate and phthalate replacement metabolites were associated with lipid levels among these women

Fatty acid intake in relation to reproductive hormones and testicular volume among young healthy men

Emerging evidence suggests that dietary fats may influence testicular function. However, most of the published literature on this field has used semen quality parameters as the only proxy for testicular function. We examined the association of fat intake with circulating reproductive hormone levels and testicular volume among healthy young Spanish men. This is a cross-sectional study among 209 healthy male volunteers conducted between October 2010 and November 2011 in Murcia Region of Spain. Participants completed questionnaires on lifestyle, diet, and smoking, and each underwent a physical examination, and provided a blood sample. Linear regression was used to examine the association between each fatty acid type and reproductive hormone levels and testicular volumes. Monounsaturated fatty acids intake was inversely associated with serum blood levels of calculated free testosterone, total testosterone, and inhibin B. A positive association was observed between the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and luteinizing hormone concentrations. In addition, the intake of trans fatty acids was associated with lower total testosterone and calculated free testosterone concentrations (Ptrend = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). The intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was positively related to testicular volume while the intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids was inversely related to testicular volume. These data suggest that fat intake, and particularly intake of omega 3, omega 6, and trans fatty acids, may influence testicular function

Mixtures of phenol and phthalate urinary biomarkers in relation to the ovarian reserve among women attending a fertility clinic

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