Semen quality and sperm DNA damage associa -revised - final-finalted with oxidative stress in relation to exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Associations of coke oven emission exposure with pulmonary function, blood pressure, blood cell parameters, and biochemical indices in coking workers: a cross-sectional pilot study

Background and objective: Coke oven emissions (COEs) are formed in the process of coking production, mainly composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzene; however, the health impacts of COE exposure in coking workers are not fully clear so far. We aimed to explore the associations of occupational COE exposure with pulmonary function, blood pressure, blood cell parameters, and blood biochemical indices, and to bolster health surveillance and disease prevention and control in coking workers. Methods: We investigated 566 coking workers at a large state-owned enterprise coking plant in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, measured the concentrations of plasma 16 PAHs and urinary phenol, assessed the health outcomes including pulmonary function, blood pressure, the levels of peripheral hematologic parameters and biochemical indices, and examined the associations of PAH and phenol concentrations with the health outcomes using multiple linear regressions, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Results: After adjustment for confounders, plasma ∑15PAH concentration was significantly associated with increases in hemoglobin (HGB) and triglyceride (TG) levels in coking workers, and urinary phenol concentration was significantly associated with increases in the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) level, and decreases in platelet (PLT) count. When phenol concentration and PAH concentration were simultaneously included in the multiple linear regression model, both of them were associated with the level of HGB. LASSO and BKMR indicated that the PAHs with four rings and above contributed to the HGB level. Conclusion: PAH exposure could damage hematological parameters and blood lipids, and benzene exposure could increase blood pressure and decrease PLT count.

Inhaled toxins: A threat to male reproductive health

Exposure to air pollutants is known to be an important risk factor in reducing semen quality in men across the world. Poor semen quality results in decline in the global fertility rate and significant personal stress, dysfunctional sexual relationships, and psychosocial problems. Continuous monitoring and effective efforts to reduce air pollution in industries and the environment and making positive changes in daily lifestyle can prevent adverse effects on semen quality and reduce the high prevalence of men infertility. This review aims to summarize studies associating pollutant concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), formaldehyde (FA), and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, and xylene) on semen quality. In this systematic review, Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched until November 13, 2022. The PECO statement was formulated to clarify the research question, and articles that did not satisfy the criteria outlined in this statement were excluded. Generally, 497 articles were obtained through searching databases, and after the investigations, 26 articles that met the entry criteria were extracted and finally considered in the systematic review. The results showed that occupational and environmental exposures to PAHs, formaldehyde, and BTEX were associated with increased metabolite concentration of toxic pollutants in body fluids. These toxin-associated pollutants directly or indirectly cause detrimental effects on sperm motility, vitality, DNA fragmentation, and morphology. There is evidence on the impact of PAHs, formaldehyde, and BTEX pollutants on the reduction of semen quality. Therefore, proving the relationship between air pollutants and testicular function in semen quality can play an effective role in macro policies and adopting stricter laws to reduce the emission of air pollutants and promote a healthy lifestyle to improve reproductive health in young men.

One-Year Impact of Occupational Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Sperm Quality

BACKGROUND

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have toxic potential, especially as carcinogens, neurotoxins, and endocrine disruptors. The objective of this study is to know the impact of exposure to PAHs on the reproductive health of male workers who operate in solar thermal plants.

METHODS

Case-control study. A total of 61 men were included: 32 workers exposed to PAH at a solar thermal plant and 29 unexposed people. Seminal quality was studied both at the cellular level (quantity and quality of sperm) and at the biochemical level (magnitudes of oxidative stress in seminal plasma).

RESULTS

In exposure to PAHs, a significantly higher seminal leukocyte infiltration was observed, as well as lower activity in seminal plasma of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a reduced glutathione/oxidised glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio. The oxidative stress parameters of seminal plasma did not show a relationship with sperm cellularity, neither in those exposed nor in those not exposed to PAH.

CONCLUSION

One year of exposure to PAH in a solar thermal plant does not have a negative impact on the sperm cellularity of the worker, either quantitatively (sperm count) or qualitatively (motility, vitality, morphology, or cellular DNA fragmentation). However, PAH exposure is associated with lower antioxidant capacity and higher leukocyte infiltration in seminal plasma.

DNA damage in testicular germ cells and spermatozoa. When and how is it induced? How should we measure it? What does it mean?

This review surveys the causes and consequences of DNA damage in the male germ line from spermatogonial stem cells to fully differentiated spermatozoa. Within the stem cell population, DNA integrity is well maintained as a result of excellent DNA surveillance and repair; however, a progressive increase in background mutation rates does occur with paternal age possibly as a result of aberrant DNA repair as well as replication error. Once a germ cell has committed to spermatogenesis, it responds to genetic damage via a range of DNA repair pathways or, if this process fails, by the induction of apoptosis. When fully-differentiated spermatozoa are stressed, they also activate a truncated intrinsic apoptotic pathway which results in the activation of nucleases in the mitochondria and cytoplasm; however, the physical architecture of these cells prevents these enzymes from translocating to the nucleus to induce DNA fragmentation. Conversely, hydrogen peroxide released from the sperm midpiece during apoptosis is able to penetrate the nucleus and induce DNA damage. The base excision repair pathway responds to such damage by cleaving oxidized bases from the DNA, leaving abasic sites that are alkali-labile and readily detected with the comet assay. As levels of oxidative stress increase and these cells enter the perimortem, topoisomerase integrated into the sperm chromatin becomes activated by SUMOylation. Such activation may initially facilitate DNA repair by reannealing double strand breaks but ultimately prepares the DNA for destruction by nucleases released from the male reproductive tract. The abasic sites and oxidized base lesions found in live spermatozoa are mutagenic and may increase the mutational load carried by the offspring, particularly in the context of assisted conception. A variety of strategies are described for managing patients expressing high levels of DNA damage in their spermatozoa, to reduce the risks such lesions might pose to offspring health.

Effects of Benzo[a]pyrene on Human Sperm Functions: An In Vitro Study

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is considered one of the most dangerous air pollutants for adverse health effects, including reproductive toxicity. It is found both in male and female reproductive fluids likely affecting spermatozoa after the selection process through cervical mucus, a process mimicked in vitro with the swim-up procedure. In vitro effects of BaP (1, 5, 10 µM) were evaluated both in unselected and swim-up selected spermatozoa after 3 and 24 h of incubation. BaP reduced total, progressive and hyperactivated motility and migration in a viscous medium both in swim-up selected and unselected spermatozoa. Viability was not significantly affected in swim-up selected but was reduced in unselected spermatozoa. In swim-up selected spermatozoa, increases in the percentage of spontaneous acrosome reaction and DNA fragmentation were observed after 24 h of incubation, whereas no differences between the control and BaP-treated samples were observed in caspase-3 and -7 activity, indicating no effects on apoptotic pathways. ROS species, evaluated by staining with CellROX® Orange and Dihydroethidium, did not differ in viable spermatozoa after BaP treatment. Conversely, the percentage of unviable ROS-positive spermatozoa increased. Our study suggests that BaP present in male and female genital fluids may heavily affect reproductive functions of human spermatozoa.

An Exploratory Analysis of Firefighter Reproduction through Survey Data and Biomonitoring

Firefighters are occupationally exposed to chemicals that may affect fertility. To investigate this effect, firefighters were recruited to contribute blood, urine, breast milk or semen samples to (1) evaluate chemical concentrations and semen parameters against fertility standards and the general population; (2) assess correlations between chemical concentrations and demographics, fire exposure and reproductive history; and (3) consider how occupational exposures may affect reproduction. A total of 774 firefighters completed the online survey, and 97 firefighters produced 125 urine samples, 113 plasma samples, 46 breast milk samples and 23 semen samples. Blood, urine and breast milk samples were analysed for chemical concentrations (semivolatile organic compounds, volatile organic compounds, metals). Semen samples were analysed for quality (volume, count, motility, morphology). Firefighter semen parameters were below WHO reference values across multiple parameters. Self-reported rates of miscarriage were higher than the general population (22% vs. 12-15%) and in line with prior firefighter studies. Estimated daily intake for infants was above reference values for multiple chemicals in breast milk. More frequent fire incident exposure (more than once per fortnight), longer duration of employment (≥15 years) or not always using a breathing apparatus demonstrated significantly higher concentrations across a range of investigated chemicals. Findings of this study warrant further research surrounding the risk occupational exposure has on reproduction.

Mixture analysis of associations between exposure to low levels of multiple metals and semen quality and sperm DNA integrity

The objective of this study was to assess the association of exposure to metal mixtures with semen quality and sperm DNA integrity of coke oven workers (n = 96). Urinary six metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic, zinc, selenium, and copper) were quantified using inductively coupled-mass spectrometry. Semen quality parameters included sperm concentration, sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and sperm viability. Sperm DNA fragmentation and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) adducts served as biomarkers for assessing sperm DNA integrity. Bayesian kernel machine regression with the hierarchical variable selection process was used for analyzing both individual and joint effects of the metal mixture on the outcomes of semen samples, while adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, job length, and body mass index. The metal mixture was associated with reduced sperm concentration, motility, viability, and normal morphology. It was novel that a dose-response relationship was observed between exposure of the metal mixture and semen quality. Among the metals tested, cadmium had a reverse relationship with sperm motility, viability, and normal morphology, and a non-linear relationship with sperm viability and sperm motility. The metal mixture and individual metals were not associated with sperm DNA fragmentation and 8-oxodGuo. In conclusion, exposure to metal mixtures and cadmium may exert an association with semen quality and had no association with sperm DNA breakages.

Mixture analysis on associations between semen quality and sperm DNA integrity and occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The objective of this study was to assess relationships between exposure to PAHs at occupational levels and outcomes of human semen quality and sperm DNA integrity. Personal breathing zone air samples were collected to quantify exposure of 16 targeted PAHs to coke-oven workers at a steel company in southern Taiwan. Semen quality, including concentration, motility, morphology, and viability, were assessed. Sperm DNA fragmentation, 8-oxodGuo, bulky PAH adducts, and benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-DNA adducts served as biomarkers for assessment of sperm DNA integrity. The Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression modeling was employed to estimate mixture effects of the PAH mixture on the outcomes of semen quality and sperm DNA integrity and to identify individual compounds of PAH mixtures associated with the mixture effects. Exposure to the PAH mixture was inversely associated with sperm viability, while benzo(b)fluoranthene (B[b]F) was identified as the main predictor for sperm viability. Exposure to the PAH mixture also exhibited a positive trend with sperm DNA fragmentation. B[b]F and benzo(a)anthracene (B[a]A) were identified as individual PAH compounds associated with increased sperm DNA fragmentation.

Assessing Approaches of Human Inhalation Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: A Review

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of important organic pollutants widely emitted from anthropogenic activities, with a general distribution in the gas and particulate phases. Some PAHs are carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic. Inhalation exposure to PAHs is correlated with adverse health outcomes in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Thus, it is significant to determine the exposure level of the general population. This study summarizes the evaluation methods for PAH exposure, focusing on different exposure parameters. External exposure can be determined via the collection of the environmental pollution concentration through active samplers or passive samplers during environmental monitoring or personal sampling. Time-activity patterns give critical exposure information that captures the exposure period, origin, and behaviors. Modeling is a labor-less approach for human exposure estimation, and microenvironmental exposure requires specific research. It is important to select appropriate methods to quantify the exposure level to provide accurate data to establish the exposure–risk relationship and make scientific suggestions for the protection of public health.

The Sins of Our Forefathers: Paternal Impacts on De Novo Mutation Rate and Development

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are generally characterized by excellent DNA surveillance and repair, resulting in one of the lowest spontaneous mutation rates in the body. However, the barriers to mutagenesis can be overwhelmed under two sets of circumstances. First, replication errors may generate age-dependent mutations that provide the mutant cells with a selective advantage, leading to the clonal expansions responsible for dominant genetic diseases such as Apert syndrome and achondroplasia. The second mechanism centers on the vulnerability of the male germline to oxidative stress and the induction of oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa. Defective repair of such oxidative damage in the fertilized oocyte results in the creation of mutations in the zygote that can influence the health and well-being of the offspring. A particular hot spot for such oxidative attack on chromosome 15 has been found to align with several mutations responsible for paternally mediated disease, including cancer, psychiatric disorders, and infertility.

Interaction effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and cadmium on semen quality in nonsmokers

Both cadmium (Cd) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known reproductive toxicants, but their co-exposure and interaction effect on semen quality particularly in nonsmokers remain unknown. We included 333 nonsmoking men and analyzed their urine and semen samples for heavy metals and PAH metabolites. Restricted cubic spline models were used to explore the dose-response relationship between each OH-PAHs, Cd, and semen quality parameters; the generalized linear model was performed to examine the interaction of each urinary OH-PAH metabolite and Cd concentration on semen quality. Also, stratified analysis was applied to further illustrate the independent effect of PAHs on semen quality parameters in low and high concentration Cd subgroups. The dose-response and interaction effect of PAHs and Cd on male semen quality was observed. Stratified analysis in the high concentration Cd subgroup showed a negative association of 1-OHPyr concentration with semen motility. Our findings indicate that Cd not only modifies the association between PAHs and semen quality but can also exacerbate the toxic effect of pyrene on semen quality parameters. However, further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm the findings.

Best laboratory practices and therapeutic interventions to reduce sperm DNA damage

Conventional semen analysis is considered the cornerstone investigation for infertile men. Nonetheless, this routine test does not provide information on important sperm functions like sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). Abnormalities of human spermatozoal nucleus and chromatin have a detrimental impact on both natural and assisted reproductive outcomes. In vivo, SDF results from abnormalities in chromatin compaction, abortive apoptosis and oxidative stress, while in vitro, a number of factors may be implicated. Various SDF testing methods are available, and the most commonly utilised assays include terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL), sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and Comet assay. SDF testing has shown beneficial effects on treatment decision-making; however, its routine use in the initial evaluation of infertile men is still not recommended. One of the treatment options to reduce sperm DNA damage is the use of antioxidants. Despite the documented improvement in semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity following antioxidant therapy, no definitive recommendation is reached due to lack of large, well-designed, randomised, placebo-controlled trials assessing their exact role in male factor infertility. The objectives of this review article are to illustrate the aetiologies of SDF, to describe the effects of SDF on male factor fertility, to explore the common techniques utilised in SDF testing, to review the clinical indications for SDF testing and to review the effect of antioxidant therapy as a method to alleviate SDF.

Comparative analysis of urban road dust compositions in relation to their potential human health impacts

This study investigated the chemical components of fine urban road dust from seven sampling sites, based on which we could predict potential human health effects. The elemental compositions, including the contents of metals and volatile or semivolatile organic compounds, were determined to establish comprehensive chemical profiles of solid road dust. The chemical profiles, consisting of C: H ratio, metal contents, and relative abundances of organic compounds, provided a chemical signature for road dust. To overall cytotoxicity values ranging between 7 and 58%, water extracts contributed less than 15%, and cell death mainly occurred via direct contact with solid-phase components, which possibly indicates that the selected chemical profile of solid-phase road dust components could serve as a strong predictor for BJ and WI-38 cytotoxicity. Pure metal oxides (Cr₂O₃, CuO, Fe₂O₃, MnO₂, NiO, or ZnO) exhibited a positive dose-response, and the corresponding metal contents in solid road dust were well correlated with cell viability. The principal component analysis (PCA) results suggested that the metal contents were stronger predictors of cytotoxicity than the benzene derivative or hydrocarbon contents. The chemical profiles established in this study could be further utilized to identify candidate health hazard factors in road dust.