LEAD CONCENTRATIONS IN SEMEN OF HEALTHY MEN WITHOUT OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO LEAD

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 7  (6) , 515-518
Abstract
Pb analyses were performed by atomic absorption spectrometry of semen and blood specimens from 21 medical students and technicians (ages 19-41 yr) who had no occupational or avocational exposures to Pb. Seminal Pb concentrations averaged 5.9 (SD .+-. 2.7) .mu.g/dl (range = 1.0-11), and blood Pb concentrations averaged 13.1 (SD .+-. 3.5) .mu.g/dl (range 7.0-19). Sperm counts averaged 54 .+-. 106 (SD .+-. 29 .times. 106) sperm/ml (range = 13 .times. 106-120 .times. 106). Seminal protein concentrations averaged 2.9 (SD .+-. 0.5) g/dl (range = 2.0-4.0). No significant correlations were found between seminal Pb concentrations and blood Pb concentrations or between seminal Pb concentrations and sperm counts. In each subject the concentration of seminal Pb was less than or equal to the concentration of blood Pb. These measurments are the 1st published data on seminal Pb concentrations in healthy men, and they serve as reference values for measurements of Pb in semen from Pb-poisoned men.

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