Human Reproduction Update, Vol.6, No.2 pp.107-121, 2000
© European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2000; all rights reserved
Male infertility and environmental exposure to lead and cadmium
cfajdide Division of Human Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, North Shore University Hospital-New York University School of Medicine, Manhasset, New York, cfafegef Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, and cfabjfej Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
Received on May 6, 1999; accepted on January 17, 2000
Abstract
Humans are exposed occupationally and environmentally to metal aerosols including lead (Pb2+) and cadmium (Cd2+). These toxicants accumulate in male reproductive organs. Epidemiological studies have been equivocal about effects of Pb2+ and Cd2+ on hormone concentrations, male fertility and sperm parameters. Comparison of Pb2+ and Cd2+ concentrations in fertile and infertile men are problematic. Problem areas include failure to control confounding variables, but genetic polymorphisms as in somatic diseases may modulate Pb2+ and Cd2+ damage. Multiple calcium (Ca2+) and potassium (K+) channel isoforms have been identified in human testes and spermatozoa. These Ca2+ and K+ channels are involved in early events of acrosome reactions. Ca2+ channel are susceptible to Cd2+ poisoning and K+ channels to Pb2+. These channels offer entry paths for metallic toxicants into mature spermatozoa. Ion channel polymorphisms may cause differential sensitivities to Cd2+ and Pb2+, explaining in part prospective blinded studies showing high Cd2+ in varicocele-related human infertility and high Pb2+ in unexplained infertility. In both forms of male infertility the ability to undergo an acrosome reaction decreases. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction assays for Ca2+ and K+ channel isoforms may identify susceptibility subgroups with lower resistance to environmental exposures.
Key words: acrosome reaction/ / cadmium/ / ion channels/ / lead/ / male infertility
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