scholarly journals Effect of Cadmium Exposure on Male Fertility

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 218-223
Author(s):  
N. M. Onul ◽  
◽  
E. M. Biletska ◽  
T. A. Holovkova
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Cadmium Concentration ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Cadmium Content ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Industrial City ◽  
The Impact

Among the xenobiotics of diverse nature, heavy metals are especially dangerous for the human reproductive system in case of excessive intake. Cadmium, which is one of the most common toxic substances for the environment and production, can pose a potential threat to human health. An increasing amount of cadmium in the environmental objects and in nutrition is believed to be related to a poor semen quality. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of cadmium on the reproductive potential of men who live in ecologically contrasting conditions. Material and methods. Clinical and hygienic assessment of the reproductive health was carried out among 2 experimental groups: the 1st group consisted of fertile men living in the city of Dnipro (62 respondents), the 2nd group included men with normal fertility living in the control city (37 respondents). To determine the cadmium concentration, venous blood samples and ejaculate were selected according to the standard methods. Biological samples were transferred to aliquots, frozen and stored at -20 ° C until analysis. The research was carried out using inversion voltammetry on the device AVA-2. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using statistical software packages of statistical analysis Statistica v.6.1 (StatsoftInc., США, licence NAJAR909E415822FA), Microsoft Excel. Results and discussion. Cadmium content in the blood and in the sperm of the fertile men of industrial city 1.3-5.8 times higher than the results of research in the control city and literature data. Differences between the cadmium content in the blood and semen of fertile men was shown to be unlikely, suggesting that the hematotesticular barrier is insufficient to protect the male reproductive organs from the toxic effects of the metal. The ejaculate in the fertile men of the studied cities is characterized by normosospermia and meets the standards. However in the residents of the industrial city the ejaculate quality indices were mostly at the lower level of the norm and were significantly worse than in the residents of the control city. Cadmium contained in male biosubstrates affect the hormonal status and quality of semen. Conclusion. Violations of spermatogenesis can serve as a rapidly-responding and reliable criterion for assessing the adaptation and maladaptation processes of men under the influence of xenobiotics of the environment, in particular cadmium. In this case, the markers of influence are the total number of sperm in the ejaculate, their concentration, mobility and the number of pathological forms, semen viscosity

scholarly journals Hellenic Karst Aquifers Vulnerability Approach Using Factor Analysis: The Example of the Louros Karst Aquifers

Geosciences ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantina Katsanou
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Water Reservoir ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Vertical Movement ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Karst Aquifers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Epikarst Zone

The karst aquifers of the Hellenic territory display high vulnerability that is related to the existence of the epikarst zone. If present, the epikarst zone regulates the vertical movement of the groundwater, which results in the chemical pollutants staying longer within it, thus facilitating the inactivation of the microbial loads. The Hellenic karst is well developed; it displays high hydraulic conductivity, relatively large storage, and the characteristics of an important water reservoir. Although its porosity was calculated to be between 0.005–8%, the statistical processing of the springs’ discharge time series points to an increased storage. The increased storage was attributed to the presence of the epikarst zone, which regulates the water movement to the underlying formations, and finally to its discharge from the karst system through springs. In these areas, the influence of nitrogen compounds on the water quality is evident. The presence of cyanobacteria and toxic substances at concentrations that are too high for fresh, flowing waters whose temperature does not exceed 17 °C advocates the role of nutrients, even at concentrations that do not exceed the maximum permissible limits of drinking water. In mountainous areas, where agriculture is limited, the presence of these compounds is attributed to heavily polluting land uses. The impact of such uses became apparent from the application of factor analysis, which not only highlighted their contribution to the overall groundwater quality, but also determined their geographical distribution and origin. From the above, it becomes evident that there is a need for protection of the karst aquifers, and investigation of their vulnerability mechanisms. The Hellenic karst, which is expected to cover the drinking water needs in the near future, proves to be very vulnerable to any kind of pollution.

scholarly journals Ecological peculiarities of cadmium dispersal at the urbanized terrain edaphotopes of the Steppe Dnieper region (shown by Dniprodzerzhinsk as an example)

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 52-59
Author(s):  
S. O. Gunko
Keyword(s):  
Soil Contamination ◽  
Cadmium Concentration ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Clay Fraction ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Left Bank ◽  
Cadmium Content ◽  
The City

The objective of this research is the clarification of ecological peculiarities of cadmium dispersal at the urbanized terrain edaphotopes of Dniprodzerzhinsk. Heavy metals have been widely discussed in a huge number of researches. Special attention should be paid to cadmium as one of the most hazardous environmental toxic agents. There exist multiple data on cadmium content in various soil types of Ukraine, but until the present time there’s no full information as for the accurate geochemical behavior of cadmium in the soils, as well as for the priority impact of one or another soil property upon its concentration in certain soil types – natural ones or anthropogenically modified ones. The applicability of such researches is first of all determined by the necessity to decrease the hazardous environmental consequences of soil contamination with cadmium, as well as to improve the living conditions of the population. Evaluation of the technology-related impact upon the city soil layer is of current concern in terms of monitoring that is corresponding to the modern tasks for the environmental condition control. The article highlights the issue of ecological peculiarities of cadmium dispersal at the urbanized terrain edaphotopes of Dniprodzerzhinsk: variety of cadmium concentration being formed under the natural and anthropogenous influence in the soils of Dniprodzerzhinsk makes difficult to solve the problem of soil contamination with such chemical element. Soils with various content of cadmium can be found within the limits of the city, underneath the steppe vegetation. Content differentiation is attributed to rather diverse set of processes in the soil and to various properties of the soils. Edaphotopes of all studied right-bank urbanized terrains are cadmium contaminated to any extent. Cadmium content in the soil layer of the administrative districts of Dniprodzerzhinsk is ascending as follows: Dniprovsky district (0.6–9.9 mg/kg) – Bagliy district (1.0–10.5 mg/kg) – Zavodsky district (1.5–10.8 mg/kg). Evaluation of intensity of the technology-related geochemical abnormalities in the city soils has been provided by the abnormality level factor. The lowest (weak) soil contamination level can be observed within the edaphotopes of the left-bank area of Dniprovsky district of the city. High and very high soil contamination levels can be observed within the urbanized terrains of the right-bank part of the city at Bagliy and Zavodsky districts (eastern, central and western areas). Results of the statistical processing of the experimental material show the ratios of correlation of cadmium content and mechanical composition of the soil and humus. Absence of cadmium correlation with physical clay-fraction of soil, as well as close significant relation with humus enable us to associate its presence in the soils with biogenous accumulation, being also the evidence of the anthropogenous impact upon cadmium content in the soil layer.

scholarly journals External and Genetic Conditions Determining Male Infertility

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5274
Author(s):  
Piotr Kamiński ◽  
Jędrzej Baszyński ◽  
Izabela Jerzak ◽  
Brendan P. Kavanagh ◽  
Ewa Nowacka-Chiari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Environmental Stressors ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Defensive Responses ◽  
The Impact

We explain environmental and genetic factors determining male genetic conditions and infertility and evaluate the significance of environmental stressors in shaping defensive responses, which is used in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. This is done through the impact of external and internal stressors and their instability on sperm parameters and their contribution to immunogenetic disorders and hazardous DNA mutations. As chemical compounds and physical factors play an important role in the induction of immunogenetic disorders and affect the activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic responses, causing oxidative stress, and leading to apoptosis, they downgrade semen quality. These factors are closely connected with male reproductive potential since genetic polymorphisms and mutations in chromosomes 7, X, and Y critically impact on spermatogenesis. Microdeletions in the Azoospermic Factor AZF region directly cause defective sperm production. Among mutations in chromosome 7, impairments in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator CFTR gene are destructive for fertility in cystic fibrosis, when spermatic ducts undergo complete obstruction. This problem was not previously analyzed in such a form. Alongside karyotype abnormalities AZF microdeletions are the reason of spermatogenic failure. Amongst AZF genes, the deleted in azoospermia DAZ gene family is reported as most frequently deleted AZF. Screening of AZF microdeletions is useful in explaining idiopathic cases of male infertility as well as in genetic consulting prior to assisted reproduction. Based on the current state of research we answer the following questions: (1) How do environmental stressors lessen the quality of sperm and reduce male fertility; (2) which chemical elements induce oxidative stress and immunogenetic changes in the male reproductive system; (3) how do polymorphisms correlate with changes in reproductive potential and pro-antioxidative mechanisms as markers of pathophysiological disturbances of the male reproductive condition; (4) how do environmental stressors of immunogenetic disorders accompany male infertility and responses; and (5) what is the distribution and prevalence of environmental and genetic risk factors.

U.S. Regulatory Approaches: A Critical Appraisal

1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
R. L. Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Command And Control ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Federal Agencies ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

The American approach to environmental regulation is characterized by fragmentation of responsibilities, primary reliance on command and control regulations, extraordinary complexity, a preference for identifiable standards, and heavy resort to litigation. This system has provided important benefits, including significant reduction of environmental contamination, substantial use of science in decision-making, broad participatory rights, and the stimulation of new treatment technologies. However, these gains have been achieved at excessive cost. Too much reliance is placed on command and control methods and especially on technology-based standards. There is too much resort to litigation, and inadequate input from science. Participatory rights are being undermined, and there is a poor allocation of decision-making among the federal agencies and the states. Over-regulation sometimes leads to under-regulation, and insufficient attention is given to the impact on small entities. The responsibility for these difficulties rests with everyone, including the federal agencies, the Congress, the general public and the courts. Changes in the regulatory system are needed. We should abandon the use of technology-based standards to control toxic substances under the Clean Water Act in favor of strong health- and environmentally based standards, coupled with taxes on toxic substances in wastewater.

Evaluation of Toxicity in Receiving Streams

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (9-11) ◽  
pp. 2357-2360
Author(s):  
J. Zagorc-Koncan ◽  
M. Dular
Keyword(s):  
Dissolved Oxygen ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Toxicity Evaluation ◽  
Copper Cyanide ◽  
Polluted River ◽  
Design Information ◽  
Point Of Entry ◽  
Receiving Stream ◽  
The Impact

A laboratory river model for the study of self-purification inhibition in a stream containing toxic substances is presented. It enables an engineering - technological prediction of the impact of toxic substances or wastewaters on dissolved oxygen (DO) profile in an organically polluted river downstream from the point of entry of toxic effluent thus providing rapidly and inexpensively significant design information to an environmental scientist or engineer. The method was applied to the toxicity evaluation of wastewaters from electroplating industry. The effects of copper, cyanide (representing two significant constituents of this type of wastewaters) and wastewater from electroplating industry on the biodegradation of organic municipal pollution in receiving stream were evaluated experimentally.

Effect of alkali therapy with NaHCO3 or THAM on cardiac contractility

1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (5) ◽  
pp. R955-R962
Author(s):  
C. D. Mazer ◽  
B. Naser ◽  
K. S. Kamel
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Ischemia ◽  
Contractile Function ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Systolic Pressure ◽  
Ischemic Myocardium ◽  
Stroke Work ◽  
Length Relationship ◽  
Alkali Therapy ◽  
Myocardial Contractile ◽  
The Impact

We examined the impact of alkali therapy on myocardial contractility in a model of myocardial ischemia in dogs using direct measurements of myocardial contractile function. Myocardial ischemia in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery territory was induced using a perfusion circuit from the internal carotid artery to the LAD artery. Myocardial contractile function was assessed using sonomicrometry for measurement of percent systolic shortening (%SS), preload recruitable stroke work (PRSW) slope, and end-systolic pressure-length relationship (ESPLR) area. Because the blood flow in LAD artery was diminished by approximately 70%, there was a significant decrease in O2 delivery and uptake by the ischemic myocardium. Ischemia led to a significant fall in LAD regional contractile function with %SS decreasing from 15 +/- 2 to 7 +/- 2%, PRSW slope from 82 +/- 10 to 37 +/- 5 mmHg, and ESPLR area from 121 +/- 2 to 48 +/- 14 mmHg.mm (P < 0.05). In six dogs, the intracoronary administration of NaHCO(3) resulted in a significant increase in pH in LAD arterial and venous blood. There was, however, no significant increase in %SS (6 +/- 2), PRSW slope (43 +/- 10 mmHg), or ESPLR area (60 +/- 13 mmHg.mm). Since administration of NaHCO(3) resulted in a significant increase in PCO2 in LAD arterial and venous blood, similar experiments were carried out in five dogs, but with the intracoronary infusion of the amine buffer THAM [tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) buffer; 2-amino-2-hydroxyl-1,3-propandiol] instead of NaHCO3. Although administration of THAM resulted in a significant increase in pH and a significant decrease in PCO2, in both LAD arterial and venous blood, there was no significant improvement in any of the parameters used to assess myocardial contractile function. In conclusion, administration of alkali (NaHCO3 or THAM) does not enhance the contractile function of the ischemic myocardium.

scholarly journals Compulsive Buying in Adolescents. The Impact of Gender and Alcohol and Cannabis Use

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3982
Author(s):  
Gloria Pérez de Albéniz-Garrote ◽  
Maria Begoña Medina-Gómez ◽  
Cristina Buedo-Guirado
Keyword(s):  
Compulsive Buying ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Higher Alcohol ◽  
Random Cluster ◽  
Prevention Programmes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Buying In

The purpose of this study to analyse whether compulsive buying in teenagers is related to gender and alcohol and cannabis use in a sample of 573 students aged 14–17 from secondary education schools in Burgos (Spain) (M = 15.65; SD = 1.04). Random cluster sampling was performed to select the sample. The Compulsive Buying Questionnaire was used together with two extra promts: ‘Indicate how much alcohol you consume’ and ‘Indicate how much cannabis you take’. Descriptive statistics were used in data analysis, while MANOVA was used to study gender differences in alcohol and cannabis use, compulsive buying and their interaction. The results show higher scores for female compulsive buyers than for men, higher scores for alcohol and cannabis users’ compulsive buying than for non-users, respectively, and higher scores for female users than for male users. A certain interaction was also observed between alcohol and cannabis use. A higher alcohol consumption entailed a higher score in compulsive buying, with cannabis users who did not consume alcohol obtaining the highest scores. Thus, prevention programmes should consider teenagers’ gender and the risk of taking toxic substances.

scholarly journals Genetic loci regulating cadmium content in rice grains

Euphytica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 217 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth J. Norton ◽  
Anthony Travis ◽  
Panthita Ruang-areerate ◽  
Graeme W. Nicol ◽  
Ayotunde A. Adeosun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Treatment ◽  
Water Regime ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Cadmium Concentration ◽  
Chromosome 9 ◽  
Chromosome 7 ◽  
Cadmium Content ◽  
Rice Grains ◽  
Water Treatments ◽  
Grain Cadmium

AbstractIt has been estimated that up to 90% of human exposure to cadmium is through food, and that cadmium within rice grains can be a major contributor to that dietary source. In this study genome wide association mapping was conducted on the Bengal and Assam Aus Panel (BAAP) of rice to identify quantitative trait loci and candidate genes for lowering grain cadmium. Field experiments were conducted over two years under two different irrigation systems: continually flooded and alternate wetting and drying (AWD). There was significant effects of water treatment, genotype, and genotype by water treatment interaction. Importantly, AWD increased grain cadmium, on average, by 49.6% and 108.8% in year 1 and 2 respectively. There was between 4.6 and 28 fold variation in cadmium concentration. A total of 58 QTLs were detected but no loci are clearly specific to one water regime despite approximately 20% of variation attributable to genotype by water regime interaction. A number of QTLs were consistent across most water treatments and years. These included QTLs on chromosome 7 (7.23–7.61, 8.93–9.04, and 29.12–29.14 Mbp), chromosome 5 (8.66–8.72 Mbp), and chromosome 9 (11.46–11.64 Mbp). Further analysis of the loci on chromosome 7 (8.93–9.04 Mbp), identified the candidate gene OsNRAMP1, where cultivars with a deletion upstream of the gene had higher concentrations of cadmium compared to the cultivars that did not have the deletion. The distribution of alleles within the BAAP suggest this QTL is easily detected in this population because it is composed of aus cultivars. Local genome cluster analysis suggest high Cd alleles are uncommon, but should be avoided in breeding.

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