Naslov
Potential role of metals in varicocele-associated infertility

Autori
Živković, Tanja ; Tariba, Blanka ; Pizent, Alica ; Čolak, Božo

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
The Annual Symposium of the Croatian Physiological Society with International Participation : abstracts / Kukolja Taradi, Sunčana ; Šimpraga, Miljenko - , 2012, 29-29

Skup
The Annual Symposium of the Croatian Physiological Society with International Participation

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 14.09.2012. - 16.09.2012

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
metals; serum; varicocele; infertility; men

Sažetak
Metals are commonly involved in the human environment and may contribute to observed deterioration of the reproductive health in men. Varicocele (enlargement of the vein within the scrotum) has long been implicated as one of the major causes of male infertility. Previous studies have indicated that metals may play a role in the aetiology of varicocele-associated infertility but further research is needed to clarify this. Serum concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn, parameters of semen quality and reproductive hormone levels were measured in 76 men with no occupational exposure to metals. The group consisted of 46 men with varicocele and 26 controls. Varicocele was diagnosed by physical examination and confirmed by colour Doppler ultrasound. The interrelationship of all the measured parameters in the group with varicocele, including age, smoking habits and alcohol consumption was calculated by forward stepwise multiple regression. The results showed a significant deterioration in almost all measured semen quality parameters with increasing grade of varicocele, and significantly higher concentrations of serum Cr in men with third grade varicocele. After adjusting for age, smoking habits, alcohol consumption and concentration of other metals, the results showed that a decrease in percentage of progressively motile sperm and an increase in the percent of immature and abnormal sperm, significantly correlated with an increase in serum Ni. An increase in serum Se significantly correlated with an increase in sperm count, counts of viable, motile and progressively motile sperm, percentage of rapid sperm and an increase in concentration of LH and FSH. Results indicate that even low-level exposure to metals like Ni and Cr may have adverse effects on male reproductive health. The results also show a potential benefit of Se to the improvement of semen quality parameters.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

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