Aluminum content of human semen: Implications for semen quality
Abstract
A deterioration of human semen quality has been observed over recent decades. A possible explanation could be an increased exposure to environmental pollutants, including aluminum. Our aim was to measure the aluminum concentration in the semen of 62 patients and to carry out a preliminary evaluation on its impact on specific semen parameters. For each patient, semen analyses were performed according to WHO guidelines. A graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry method was used to determine semen aluminum concentration. A cytological analysis using an aluminum-specific fluor, lumogallion, was also performed. The mean aluminum concentration in human semen was 339 μg/L. Patients with oligozoospermia had a statistically higher aluminum concentration than others. No significant difference was observed for other semen parameters. Cytological analysis showed the presence of aluminum in spermatozoa. This study provided unequivocal evidence of high concentrations of aluminum in human semen and suggested possible implications for spermatogenesis and sperm count.
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Human semen and spermatozoa contain Al and patients with oligospermia had higher Al concentration than healthy individuals.
“Human semen and spermatozoa contain Al and patients with oligospermia had higher Al concentration than healthy individuals (Klein et al., 2014).”
From Aluminium toxicosis: a review of toxic actions and effects (2019) · cites this paper as Klein et al., 2014
Human reproduction may be affected negatively by Al exposure.
“Human reproduction may be affected negatively by Al exposure (Klein et al., 2014; Mouro et al., 2017).”
From Aluminium toxicosis: a review of toxic actions and effects (2019) · cites this paper as Klein et al., 2014
Cites
Exley, C. (2013) · Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts · doi:10.1039/c3em00374d · Cited by 382 · see citing works
Self-citationBlood, Urine, and Sweat (BUS) Study: Monitoring and Elimination of Bioaccumulated Toxic Elements
Genuis, S. J., Birkholz, D., Rodushkin, I., & Beesoon, S. (2011) · Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology · doi:10.1007/s00244-010-9611-5 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
D'Souza, S. P., Vijayalaxmi, K. K., & Naik, P. (2014) · Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis · doi:10.1016/j.mrgentox.2014.02.006 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
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Aluminium toxicosis: a review of toxic actions and effects
Igbokwe, I. O., Igwenagu, E., & Igbokwe, N. A. (2019) · Interdisciplinary Toxicology · doi:10.2478/intox-2019-0007 · Cited by 395 · see citing works
“Reproductive and developmental effects Human reproduction may be affected negatively by Al exposure (Klein et al., 2014; Mouro et al., 2017).”
Background
- Authors
- Klein, J. P., Mold, M., Mery, L., Cottier, M., & Exley, C.
- Affiliations
- Université de Lyon (FR)
- Keele University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Klein, J.P.
- Exley, C.
- Venue
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2014-12
- Volume
- 50
- Pages
- 43-48
- ISSN
- 0890-6238 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2062209576
- Cited by
- 50
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3
- FWCI
- 4.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Reproductive Toxicology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Keele University
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Keywords
- aluminum, semen, semen quality, oligozoospermia, spermatozoa, environmental pollutants, spermatogenesis, sperm count, lumogallion, cytological examination
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aluminum, Humans, Male, Microscopy, Fluorescence, Oligospermia, Semen
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