Cadmium exposure and its association with oxidative stress, MT1A methylation, and idiopathic male infertility in Egypt: A case-control study

Idiopathic male infertility, a significant health concern, lacks a clear etiology. Cadmium (Cd), a widespread environmental pollutant known to impact male reproductive health negatively, can accumulate in mussels, a common food source in Egypt. This study investigated the link between ecological Cd...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food and chemical toxicology 2024-10, Vol.192, p.114925, Article 114925
Main Authors: Hassan, Jihan, Elmetwalli, Alaa, Helal, Mohamed, Al Munajer, Eyad Abdulrahim, Hussien, Tarek Mahmoud, Azem Saad, Aziza Abdel, El-Sikaily, Amany
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biomarkers
blood
Cadmium
case-control studies
DNA methylation
Egypt
Epigenetics
etiology
Infertility
male sterility
males
Metallothionein
methylation
MT1A
mussels
oxidative stress
pollutants
semen quality
spermatozoa
toxicology
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Summary:Idiopathic male infertility, a significant health concern, lacks a clear etiology. Cadmium (Cd), a widespread environmental pollutant known to impact male reproductive health negatively, can accumulate in mussels, a common food source in Egypt. This study investigated the link between ecological Cd exposure, oxidative stress, MT1A methylation, and idiopathic male infertility in two regions of Alexandria. Thirty-three infertile men and 33 fertile controls were included. Cd levels were measured in mussels from the study sites and in participants' blood and semen. Biomarkers reflecting Cd exposure and its effects were assessed. Mussel Cd levels exceeded regulatory limits. Infertile men revealed significantly higher blood and semen Cd levels, reduced semen quality, increased oxidative stress, and elevated MT1A methylation compared to controls. MT1A methylation was inversely correlated with sperm count and is the strongest predictor of idiopathic male infertility, demonstrating the lowest p-value and considerable effect size. This study suggests that environmental Cd exposure, potentially through mussel consumption, may contribute to idiopathic male infertility in Egypt by increasing oxidative stress, inducing epigenetic modifications, and impairing semen quality. These findings underscore the need for further research into the mechanisms underlying Cd-induced male infertility and the development of preventative strategies.
ISSN:0278-6915
1873-6351
1873-6351
DOI:10.1016/j.fct.2024.114925