Determination of Lead and Arsenic Concentrations in the Serum and its Effect on Sperm Parameters and Sperm Quality in Patients Referred to Omid Persian Gulf Infertility Center of Bushehr

Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) are widespread in the environment and human exposure to these elements has a broad range of toxic effects. However, the knowledge of possible mechanisms of As and Pb in male reproductive toxicity is generally negligible. Materials and Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of the presence of Pb or As in the serum of infertile men and the relation between them and DNA damage in the sperm by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, atomic adsorption, and chromatin attaining. Results: These results showed that there is a significant correlation between high levels of Pb and As in the serum and semen quality in infertile men. Finally, the results of chromatin condensation (CMA3) staining demonstrated a high level of damage in the sperms of infertile men. Conclusions: It was hypothesized that Pb and As have interaction effects on histone to protamine replacement and prevent the chromatin condensation, resulting in a reduction in male fertility.