Abstract
BackgroundThe World Health Organization reported that more than 10 % of women are severely affected by infertility, making the condition a major worldwide public health problem. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) are environmental pollutants that may contribute to reproductive disorders. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between blood concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As and risk factors for infertility in women.MethodsWomen who were infertile (N = 310) or pregnant (N = 57) were recruited from the gynecology and obstetrics department of a hospital. The participants were interviewed to obtain their sociodemographic, reproductive, and lifestyle information. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As in their blood samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.ResultsOur findings suggested that the concentrations of Pb and As, but not Cd, were significantly higher in the blood of infertile women than in that of pregnant women. A higher percentage of the infertile women consumed more alcohol, used Chinese herbal medicine more frequently, and lacked physical activity compared with the pregnant women. After accounting for potentially relevant predictors, we observed that blood Pb levels might be elevated by using Chinese herbal medicine 1–6 times per week (aOR = 2.82, p = 0.05). In addition, engaging in physical activity 1–2 times per week (aOR = 0.37, p = 0.05) might assist in reducing Pb accumulation in infertile women, though the p value was borderline.ConclusionsLack of physical activity and frequent use of Chinese herbal medicine may be associated with elevated blood Pb levels in infertile women. Chinese herbal medicine use was observed to increase the Pb body burden of both infertile and pregnant women in this study. The risk–benefit for Chinese herbal medicine intake should be evaluated by women of childbearing age.
Highlights
The World Health Organization reported that more than 10 % of women are severely affected by infertility, making the condition a major worldwide public health problem
A significant difference was observed in the categorized frequencies of Chinese herbal medicine use between the groups (p < 0.01)
An obvious difference was noted in infertile women taking Chinese herbal medicine 1–6 times per week compared with pregnant women (30.9 % versus 10.5 %)
Summary
The World Health Organization reported that more than 10 % of women are severely affected by infertility, making the condition a major worldwide public health problem. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) are environmental pollutants that may contribute to reproductive disorders This cross-sectional study investigated the association between blood concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As and risk factors for infertility in women. An increasing number of researchers acknowledge the influence of environmental pollutants, such as heavy metals, organic hydrocarbons, and pesticides from various sources, on public health, in reproductive disorders. Environmental factors, such as exposure to heavy metals, can cause reproductive dysfunction in women [2]; even trace exposure to toxic metals may affect the reproductive health of women [3]. Toxic metals may induce hormonal changes affecting the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and female fertility [8]
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