Associations between blood metal/ metalloid concentration and human semen quality and sperm function: A cross-sectional study in Hong Kong

Shi，Xiao1,2; Chan，Carol Pui Shan1; Man，Grace Ka Yan3; Chan，David Yiu Leung1; Wong，Ming Hung3,4; Li，Tin Chiu1

2021-05-01

10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126735

JOURNAL OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY   影响因子和分区

0946-672X

1878-3252

Background: The association between metal/metalloid exposure on human sperm quality is still inconclusive. There is a lack of data on the effect of metal/metalloid on sperm function. Methods: The aim of this study was to clarify the association between blood metal/metalloid concentration and traditional and functional sperm parameters, the blood concentration of Pb, Hg, Cd, As, Ni, Mo, Zn, Cu, Se, Fe, Mg, Cr and Ca of 288 men in Hong Kong were assessed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and sperm parameters including sperm concentration, motility, morphology, vitality, total sperm count, total motile sperm count, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm acrosome reaction were measured. Demographic and lifestyle questionnaires were also provided for all participants. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to test the association between blood metal/ metalloid concentration and semen parameters after adjusting for relevant confounding variables. Results: The results showed that moderate to high level of blood Pb concentration (>27.19 μg/L) appeared to be negatively associated with sperm morphology (P < 0.05); high level of blood Cd concentration (>1.44 μg/L) was negatively associated with sperm acrosome reaction (P < 0.05); Mo was positively associated with semen volume (P < 0.05), however, high level of blood Mo concentration (>13.52 μg/L) was negatively associated with sperm vitality (P < 0.05); high level of blood Zn concentration (>6.20 mg/L) was positively associated with sperm vitality (P < 0.05); moderate level of blood Fe concentration (526.89−566.63 mg/L) was positively associated with sperm acrosome reaction (P < 0.05); moderate level of blood Ca concentration (55.92−66.10 mg/L) was positively associated with semen volume (P < 0.05); however, lower level of blood Ca concentration (45.90−55.92 mg/L) was negatively associated with sperm morphology (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggested that the sperm function could be affected by blood Cd and Fe concentration and traditional sperm parameters could be affected by blood concentration of Mo, Zn, Pb and Ca.

Acrosome reaction Heavy metals Semen analysis Sperm function

SCI

英语

其他

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology ; Endocrinology & Metabolism

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology ; Endocrinology & Metabolism

WOS:000634880500001

ELSEVIER GMBH

BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY

2-s2.0-85101584136

Scopus

1.Assisted Conception Unit,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,Prince of Wales Hospital,The Chinese University of Hong Kong,China
2.Center for Reproductive Medicine,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,Nanfang Hospital,Southern Medical University,China
3.Consortium on Health,Environment,Education and Research (CHEER),Department of Science and Environmental Studies,The Education University of Hong Kong,China
4.School of Environmental Science and Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,China

Shi，Xiao,Chan，Carol Pui Shan,Man，Grace Ka Yan,et al. Associations between blood metal/ metalloid concentration and human semen quality and sperm function: A cross-sectional study in Hong Kong[J]. JOURNAL OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY,2021,65.

Shi，Xiao,Chan，Carol Pui Shan,Man，Grace Ka Yan,Chan，David Yiu Leung,Wong，Ming Hung,&Li，Tin Chiu.(2021).Associations between blood metal/ metalloid concentration and human semen quality and sperm function: A cross-sectional study in Hong Kong.JOURNAL OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY,65.

Shi，Xiao,et al."Associations between blood metal/ metalloid concentration and human semen quality and sperm function: A cross-sectional study in Hong Kong".JOURNAL OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 65(2021).