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. 2021 Sep 15;10(9):1473. doi: 10.3390/antiox10091473

Table 6.

Articles studying the relationship between heavy metals and reproductive outcomes in couples from assisted-reproduction centers.

Ref. Exposure Study Groups Biological Matrix Detection Method Metal Profile Main Findings
[118] Pre-conception parental exposures A cohort of couples (n = 501), including 235 singletons born to 347 couples B and U ICP-MS Pb, Cd and total Hg in blood. Sb, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Cs, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pt, Se, Te, Tl, Sn, W, U, Zn in urine.
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    Shorter gestational age at delivery (GA) was related to a higher paternal urine Ba, W and U.

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    Birth length (BL) was shorter for higher tertiles of urine paternal U (−1.10 cm). Higher tertiles of paternal (+1.30) blood Hg were associated with longer BL.

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    At birth, head circumference was lower for higher tertiles of paternal urine U (−0.83 cm) and for higher Mo in boys (−0.57 cm).
[119] Effect of heavy metals at environmentally relevant concentrations on couple fecundity Couples (n = 501) desiring pregnancy B ICP-MS Cd, Pb and Hg
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    For both female Cd and male Pb concentrations, lower fecundability odd ratios (FORs) were seen.

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    Considering the couples’ exposure, only male concentration of Pb significantly reduced the FOR.
[120] No Couples (n = 103) who underwent IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment in a reproduction center S ICP-MS Cr, Ni, As, Se, Cd and Pb
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    The concentration in S of As was significantly associated with a greater embryo quality.

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    Higher Se levels in the seminal plasma of male partners was related to higher pregnancy (implantation and clinical pregnancy) and live-birth probabilities.
[121] Evaluation of the role of oxidative stress in lifestyle and environmental factors Couples (n = 253) from an IVF center B, SE and SP AAS Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn
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    Embryo transfer and IVF outcome may be improved due to higher Zn levels in SP and SE.

IVF, in vitro fertilization; B, blood; S, semen; SE, serum; U, urine; AAS, atomic absorption spectroscopy; ICP-MS, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry; As, Arsenic; Ba, Barium; Be. Beryllium; Cd, Cadmium; Co, Cobalt; Cr, Chromium; Cs, Cesium; Cu, Copper; Hg, Mercury; Mn, Manganese; Mo, Molybdenum; Ni, Nickel; Pb, Lead; Pt, Platinum; Sb, Antimony; Sc, Scandium; Se, Selenium; Sn, Tin; Te, Tellurium; Tl, Thallium; U, Uranium; W, Wolframium; Zn, Zinc.