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Jahan S, Falah S, Ullah H, Ullah A, Rauf N. Antioxidant enzymes status and reproductive health of adult male workers exposed to brick kiln pollutants in Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:12932-12940. [PMID: 26996903 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6454-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The present study was designed to study the effect of brick kilns emissions on the reproductive health and biochemical status of brick kiln workers and people living in the area near brick kilns. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly reduced in brick makers, carriers, and bakers compared to the control. Red blood cells count and hematocrit (%) were significantly high in brick bakers while MCH was significantly reduced in brick makers and brick bakers. Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and chromium) concentration in whole blood of the brick kiln workers were significantly higher as compared to the control. Antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, POD, GSH, and GR) were significantly reduced in brick kiln workers as compared to the control while TBARS level were significantly high in brick bakers as compared to the control. Plasma leutinizing hormone (LH) was significantly high in brick bakers while testosterone concentrations were significantly reduced in brick makers, carriers, and bakers. The present study shows that brick kiln workers and people living in the brick kiln vicinity are exposed to heavy metals and other pollutants that is a serious threat to their health. Alternate technology is needed to be developed and brick kilns should be replaced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarwat Jahan
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Samreen Falah
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hizb Ullah
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Asad Ullah
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Rauf
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Yuan C, Song H, Jiang Y, Azzam M, Zhu S, Zou X. Effects of lead contamination in feed on laying performance, lead retention of organs and eggs, protein metabolism, and hormone levels of laying hens. J APPL POULTRY RES 2013. [DOI: 10.3382/japr.2013-00801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Hosni H, Selim O, Abbas M, Fathy A. Semen quality and reproductive endocrinal function related to blood lead levels in infertile painters. Andrologia 2012; 45:120-7. [PMID: 22680063 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2012.01322.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- H Hosni
- Department of Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Tchernitchin AN, Gaete L, Bustamante R, Báez A. Effect of prenatal exposure to lead on estrogen action in the prepubertal rat uterus. ISRN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2012; 2011:329692. [PMID: 22263113 PMCID: PMC3255308 DOI: 10.5402/2011/329692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2011] [Accepted: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Lead is a widely spread environmental pollutant known to affect both male and female reproductive systems in humans and experimental animals and causes infertility and other adverse effects. The present paper investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to lead on different parameters of estrogen stimulation in the uterus of the prepubertal rat. In prenatally and perinatally exposed rats, estrogen-induced endometrial eosinophilia, endometrial stroma edema, and eosinophil migration towards the endometrium, and uterine luminal epithelial hypertrophy are enhanced while several other responses to estrogen appear unchanged. These effects may contribute to decrease in fertility following prenatal exposure to lead. The striking difference between most of these effects of prenatal exposure and the previously reported effects of chronic exposure to lead suggests that prenatal exposure to lead may neutralize the effects of chronic exposure to lead, providing partial protection of cell function against the adverse effects of chronic exposure to lead. We propose that the mechanism involved, named imprinting or cell programming, persisted through evolution as a nongenetic adaptive mechanism to provide protection against long-term environmental variations that otherwise may cause the extinction of species not displaying this kind of adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei N Tchernitchin
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology and Environmental Pathology (LEEPA), Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), University of Chile Medical School, P.O. Box 21104, Santiago 21, Chile
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Iavicoli I, Fontana L, Bergamaschi A. The effects of metals as endocrine disruptors. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2009; 12:206-23. [PMID: 19466673 DOI: 10.1080/10937400902902062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 295] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
This review reports current knowledge regarding the roles that cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), lead (PB), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) play as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The influence of these metals on the endocrine system, possible mechanisms of action, and consequent health effects were correlated between experimental animals and humans. Analysis of the studies prompted us to identify some critical issues related to this area and showed the need for more rigorous and innovative studies. Consequently, it was recommended that future studies need to: (1) identify the mechanisms of action, because at the present time only a few have been elucidated-in this context, the possible presence of hormesis need to be determined, as currently this was reported only for exposure Cd and As; (2) study the possible additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects on the endocrine system following exposure to a mixture of metals since there is a lack of these studies available, and in general or occupational environments, humans are simultaneously exposed to different classes of xenobiotics, including metals, but also to organic compounds that might also be EDCs; (3) assess the potential adverse effects on the endocrine system of low-level exposures to metals, as most of the information currently available on EDCs originates from studies in which exposure levels were particularly high; and (4) assess the effects on the endocrine and reproductive systems of other metals that are present in the general and occupational environment that have not yet been evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Iavicoli
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
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Allouche L, Hamadouche M, Touabti A. Chronic effects of low lead levels on sperm quality, gonadotropins and testosterone in albino rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 61:503-10. [PMID: 19188052 DOI: 10.1016/j.etp.2008.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2008] [Revised: 11/04/2008] [Accepted: 12/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The current study evaluates the impact of low or moderate levels of lead acetate (PbAc) on sperm parameters, gonadotropins (FSH, LH) and testosterone. Adult albino wistar male rats were allocated to five groups and given 0%, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.3% PbAc in distilled drinking water for 24 weeks. There was no change in body weight gain and in absolute or relative weight of testes, epididymides and seminal vesicles. The ventral prostate weight was decreased in groups exposed to 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.3% PbAc without statistically significant differences. Sperm velocity was decreased in all treated groups while reduction of sperm motility was observed in rats exposed to 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.3% PbAc without statistically significant differences compared to the control group. However, there was a significant increase greater than 100% in the total percentage of abnormal sperm in groups treated with 0.1% (p<0.01) and 0.3% PbAc (p<0.05).The frequency of dead sperm was significantly increased only in the 0.3% PbAc group (p<0.01). Significant increases in frequencies of amorphous head sperm (p<0.01) and abnormal tails (p<0.01) were found in the group exposed to 0.1% PbAc, while the frequency of neck abnormalities was increased in the high-lead-exposed group (p<0.01). The levels of LH and FSH were not significantly affected after lead treatment and significant increase in serum testosterone level was noted only in animals administered 0.05% PbAc (p<0.01). In conclusion, our results reveal that some sperm parameters were altered at low or moderate lead concentrations with no obvious alteration of hypothalamic-pituitary function. The increase of testosterone level observed suggests that lead may target testicular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda Allouche
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Setif, Algeria
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Mendiola J, Ten J, Araico F, Martín-Ondarza C, Torres-Cantero AM, Moreno-Grau JM, Moreno-Grau S, Bernabeu R. Metales pesados y calidad seminal en humanos. Rev Int Androl 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s1698-031x(07)74051-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Tchernitchin NN, Clavero A, Mena MA, Unda C, Villagra R, Cumsille M, Tchernitchin AN. Effect of chronic exposure to lead on estrogen action in the prepubertal rat uterus. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2003; 18:268-277. [PMID: 12900946 DOI: 10.1002/tox.10124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Lead is a widely spread environmental pollutant known to affect both male and female reproductive systems in humans and in experimental animals. The present study investigated the effect of a chronic exposure to lead on different parameters of estrogen stimulation in the uteri of prepubertal rats. Chronic exposure to lead enhanced some parameters of estrogen stimulation, inhibited other estrogenic responses, while the remainder were unaltered. Estrogen-induced uterine eosinophilia (24 h), the proportion of uterine eosinophils in the mesometrium (6 h), and luminal epithelial hypertrophy and RNA content (24 h) appeared to be enhanced by lead exposure, compared to lead-unexposed control animals. Eosinophilia in the endometrium (6 h), the proportion of uterine eosinophils in the endometrium (6 and 24 h), edema in superficial and deep endometria (6 h), luminal epithelial hypertrophy (6 h), and mitotic response (cell proliferation) in all uterine cell types were inhibited by lead exposure, whereas circular myometrial hypertrophy was not significantly modified. The effects of lead exposure on responses to estrogen found in this study showed some differences with those previously reported for acute or subacute exposure to lead. The results revealed an interaction with the different mechanisms of estrogen action in the uterus at various levels, suggesting that some uterine cell types are more sensitive to lead than others. The relevance of the results for lead-induced infertility is discussed in this article, and possible mechanisms of action are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina N Tchernitchin
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology and Environmental Pathology, Center for Research on Environment and Biomedicine (CIMAB) and Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), University of Chile Medical School, Casilla 21104, Correo 21, Santiago, Chile
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Apostoli P, Kiss P, Porru S, Bonde JP, Vanhoorne M. Male reproductive toxicity of lead in animals and humans. ASCLEPIOS Study Group. Occup Environ Med 1998; 55:364-74. [PMID: 9764095 PMCID: PMC1757597 DOI: 10.1136/oem.55.6.364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To critically review the literature on male reproductive toxicity of lead in animals and humans. METHODS A systematic literature search identified a total of 32 experimental studies in animals and 22 epidemiological studies, one case report on humans and five review articles or documents. The studies were evaluated by paying attention mainly to sample size, study design, exposure, and dose characterisation, analytical method standardisation, and quality assurance. RESULTS Several studies on rats and other rodents indicated that blood lead concentrations > 30-40 micrograms/dl were associated with impairment of spermatogenesis and reduced concentrations of androgens. However, other animal studies, mainly about histopathological, spermatozoal, and hormonal end points, indicated that certain species and strains were quite resistant to the reproductive toxicity of lead and that different testicular lead concentrations could account for these differences. The human studies focused mainly on semen quality, endocrine function, and birth rates in occupationally exposed subjects, and showed that exposure to concentrations of inorganic lead > 40 micrograms/dl in blood impaired male reproductive function by reducing sperm count, volume, and density, or changing sperm motility and morphology. No relevant effects were detected on endocrine profile. CONCLUSION Several factors make it difficult to extrapolate the animal data to the human situation. The difficulties are mainly due to differences between species in reproductive end points and to the level of exposure. Concentrations of blood lead > 40 micrograms/dl seemed to be associated with a decrease in sperm count, volume, motility, and morphological alterations and a possible modest effect on endocrine profile. Dose-response relation, in particular at a threshold level, is poorly understood, and site, mode, or mechanism of action are unknown. Also, the effects were not always the same or associated in the same on sperm count and concentration. Some methodological issues and indications for future studies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Apostoli
- Institute of Occupational Health, University of Brescia, Italy
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Sokol RZ, Berman N, Okuda H, Raum W. Effects of lead exposure on GnRH and LH secretion in male rats: response to castration and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMPT) challenge. Reprod Toxicol 1998; 12:347-55. [PMID: 9628557 DOI: 10.1016/s0890-6238(98)00014-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal and clinical studies suggest that lead exposure disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. To define more precisely the toxic action of lead on the hypothalamic-pituitary unit, a series of in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed. The first experiment was designed to determine whether lead exposure exerts an inhibitory effect on GnRH secretion as reflected by an enhanced inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in response to the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor methyl-p-tyrosine (AMPT). In the control animals, the AMPT dose had no significant effect on LH secretion, whereas LH fell significantly in the lead-treated animals. In experiments designed to evaluate the effects of lead exposure on the pattern of pulsatile release of gonadotropins castrated control and lead-dosed animals were cannulated, and serial blood sampling was performed. Baseline LH and follicle-stimulating hormone values were not statistically different between the control and lead-treated group. There were no significant differences noted in pulsatile patterns when the data were analyzed as groups. Pituitary cells harvested from lead-treated animals released significantly more LH that did the control animals. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the signals between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland are disrupted by lead exposure in the intact animal. However, the lead-exposed castrated rat's hypothalamic-pituitary unit is able to adapt to the toxic effects of lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Z Sokol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA
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