Cover
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2011)

Published: June 30, 2011

Pages: 23-30

Research Article

Effect of lead exposure on the development of polycystic ovary syndrome

Nawal Khiry AL-Ani 1 Manal Taha AL-Obaidy Ali Yakub Majid 2 Sundus Fadhil Hantoosh Omer Abdulla AL-Sheikhly
1Institute of Embryo Researches and Infertility Treatment, University of Al-Nahrain, Baghdad, Iraq
2Poisoning Consultation Center, Baghdad, Iraq
History
  • Received: March 1, 2011
  • Available Online: June 1, 2011

Abstract

Background: The effects of Lead and other essential metal like zinc and copper on the reproductive system have been previously reviewed. Objective: Our goal in this study was to estimate the levels of Lead, Zinc and Copper in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and to confirm the effect of such metals on the female reproductive system at environmental exposure. Materials and Method: Fifty two women in their reproductive age (20-40) years old, which had been diagnosed as PCOS. Venous blood sample were taken from each patient and control, blood lead, zinc and copper were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Hormone assay were determined by ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immune Sorbet Assay) technique. Results: This study showed a significant increase of blood lead and serum zinc, copper (p<0.01), in addition to testosterone, lutenizing hormone, LH/FSH ratio and body mass index (BMI) (p<0.05) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome when compared with control. Conclusions: On the basis of the observations of the present study, it can conclude that the increased levels of Lead as a result of the exposure to this metal may be a risk factor for the development of polycystic ovary syndrome in women and has adverse effects on female endocrine and reproductive function.

Keywords

References

  1. Azziz R, Woods KS, Reyna R, Key TJ, Knochenhauer ES and Yildiz BO. The prevalence and features of the polycystic ovary syndrome in an unselected population. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004;89:2745-2749.
  2. Ehrmann DA. Medical progress: polycystic ovary syndrome. N Engl J Med2000;5352:1223-1236.
  3. Faloia E, Canibus P, Gatti C, Frezza F, Santangelo M, Garrapa GG and Boscaro M. Body composition, fat distribution and metabolic characteristics in lean and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Endocrinol Invest 2004:27 424-429.
  4. Yen SSC, Vela P and Rankin J. Inappropriate secretion of follicle - stimulating hormone and Luteinizing hormone in polycystic ovarian disease J. Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1970;30:435-442.
  5. Kumar S. Is environmental exposure associated with reproductive health impairments? J Turkish-German GynecolAssoc,2008; 9(1)
  6. Tracey JW,Alison C, Jackie MS and Lind cg. Proceedings of the Summit on Environmental Challenges to Reproductive Health and Fertility:executive summary. Fertility and Sterility 2008;189,(2): 281-300
  7. Dennis L. Heskel. AModel for the Adoption of Metallurgy in the Ancient Middle East. Current Anthropology 1983;24 (3): 362-366.
  8. Talamancal F., TrainaME, Urbani E.Occupational exposures to metals,solvents and pesticides: recent evidence on male reproductive effects and biological markers.Occup Med(Lond)2001;51:174-88.
  9. ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Copper. Atlanta, GA:Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry2004.
  10. ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Zinc. Atlanta, GA:Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry2005.
  11. Kumar S, Sathwara NG, Gautam AK, Agarwal K, Shah B, Kulkarni PK, et al. Semen quality of industrial workers occupationally exposed to chromium. J Occup Health 2005;47:424-430.
  12. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril2004;81(1);19-25.
  13. Diver MJ.PlasmaEstradiol concentration in Neonates Clinical Chemistry1987;3(10):1950.
  14. D'Hooghe TM and Hill J. Novak's Gynecology, Infertility, Philadelphia, 2002, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  15. Cunningham M. Chronic occupational lead exposure: the potential effect on sexual function and reproductive ability in male workers.Aaohn J1986;34:277-9.
  16. Benof S, Jacob A and Hurley IR. Male infertility and environmental exposure to lead and cadmium Hum Reprod Update 2000;6:107-21.
  17. Uzumcu M. and Zachow R. Developmental Exposure to Environmental Endocrine Disruptors: Consequences within the Ovary and on Female Reproductive Function Reprod Toxicol. 2007; 23(3): 337-352.
  18. Figa-Talamanca I, TrainaME and Urbani E.Occupational exposures to metals, solvents and pesticides: recent evidence on male reproductive effects and biological markers. Occup Med(Lond)2001;51:174-88.
  19. McLachlan JA, Simpson E and Martin M. Endocrine disrupters and female reproductive health. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006;20:63-75.
  20. Hilderbrand,O.C et al.Effect of lead acetate on reproduction.Amer.J.Obst. Gynecol. 1973;115;1058.
  21. lwase K, Nagasaka A, Kato K, Ohtani S, Tsujimura T, Inagaki A, Jimbo S, Nakai A, Masunaga R, Hamada M; et al. Localization of Cu/Zn and Mn superoxide dismutase in various thyroid disorders Acta Endocrinol (Copenh), 1993 Dec; 129(6):573-8.
  22. Mendelsohn ML, Peeters JP and Normandy МJ. Biomarkers and Occupational Health: Progress and Perspectives. Washington: John Henry Press, 1995.
  23. Gochfeld. M.1997 Factors Influencing Susceptibility to Metals Environ Health Perspect 1997, 105(Suppl 4):817-822.
  24. Yarat A, Nokay S, Ipubuker A and Emekli N. Serum nickel levels of diabetic patients and healthy controls by AAS with a graphite furnace. Boil Trace Elem Res 1992:35:273-280.
  25. Elena S.Craft,Kirby C.Donnelly,lulia Neamtiu,Kathleen M. McCarty Erica Bruce, Irina Surkova. Prioritizing environmental issues around the world: Opinions from an International Central and Eastern European Environmental Health Conference. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2006;(114):121.
  26. Ginsberg G, Slikker W., Jr., Bruckner J., and Sonawane B. Incorporating children's toxicokinetics into a risk framework environmental health perspectives 2004; 112: 2.
  27. McMichael AJ, Vimpani GV, Robertson EF, et al. The port pirie cohort study:maternal blood lead and pregnancy outcome. J Epidemiol Community 1986. 40:18-25.
  28. Dimitrios P, Christos B, Dimitrios F, David R, Anargyros K1, Vassilios B, llias K, Vassiliki Z,and Evanthia DKandarakis. Serum parathyroid hormone concentrations are increased in women withpolycystic ovary syndrome.Clinical Chemistry 2005:51: 1691-1697.
  29. Thys-Jacobs S, Donovan D, Papadopoulos A, Sarrel P and Bilezikian J P. Vitamin D and calcium dysregulation in the polycystic ovarian syndrome Steroids 1999 64;6:430-5.
  30. Wibowo AAE and Zielhius RL. Different effects on hemesynthesis in male and female rabbits treated with lead acetate.Arch Toxicol 1980;45:67-73.
  31. Chirra A., Lead poisoning associated with herbal remedies Proceedings of UCLA Healthcare Fall.2004,8:1.
  32. Falnoga I, Kregar I, Skreblin M, Tusek-Znidaric M and Stegnar P. Interactions of mercury in rat brain. Biol Trace Elem Res 1993; 37:71-83.