1
|
Rodríguez-Díaz R, Alcaide-Ruggiero L, Rodríguez-Fiestas S, Hess-Medler S, González-Pérez J, Gutiérrez ÁJ, Hardisson A, Rubio C, Paz S, González-Weller D, Blanes-Zamora R. Associations of Semen Quality with Seminal Non-essential Heavy Metals in Males from the Canary Islands. Biol Trace Elem Res 2021; 199:4525-4534. [PMID: 33565020 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-021-02605-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Semen quality and levels of non-essential metals such as strontium (Sr), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and vanadium (V) were measured. Metals were determined by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry) in semen samples from 102 men who were recruited in a Reproduction Unit in the Canary Islands. The presence of each metal was as follows: Sr: 56.9%, Al: 73.5%, Pb: 45.1%, Ni: 15.7%, and V: 79.4% of the samples. No significant differences were found in the relationship between the spermiogram, the sperm motility, and the concentration of spermatozoa levels of non-essential metals. It is noteworthy that Ni levels tend to be lower in patients with oligozoospermia (t (46.4) = 1.84; p = 0.070). Between lifestyle and non-essential metals, there was a significant relationship between the level of occupational exposure to metals and Ni (χ2(2) = 13.91; p = 0.001). We did not find significant differences in non-essential seminal metal content and smoking status but, there were differences between drinkers and the concentration of V in semen (t (100) = -1.99; p = 0.050). The occupational exposure to metals and place of residence have effects on Al and V levels in semen. Regarding obesity, significant differences were found in Pb levels (t (18.0) = 2.34; p = 0.031). Obese patients have a lower Pb level, and the percentage of progressive sperm motility was lower in obese men (t (98) = 2.14; p = 0.035). The detection of metals in semen opens a new field in the study of male infertility with the possibility of performing treatments aimed at correcting these possible anomalies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rubí Rodríguez-Díaz
- Human Reproduction Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
| | - Lourdes Alcaide-Ruggiero
- Human Reproduction Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Sonsoles Rodríguez-Fiestas
- Human Reproduction Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Stephany Hess-Medler
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychobiology and Methodology, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Jonay González-Pérez
- Human Reproduction Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | | | | | - Carmen Rubio
- Toxicology, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Soraya Paz
- Toxicology, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | | | - Raquel Blanes-Zamora
- Human Reproduction Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| |
Collapse
|