Abstract
Drinking water can be a potential source of toxic metals, which are a known leading cause of infertility in men. This study determines the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) in drinking water (borehole, hand-dug well and treated water) and sex hormone levels (serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PROL), estradiol (E2), progesterone (PROG), and testosterone (T) in males who drink water mainly from these sources. The concentrations of Cd, and Pb in hand-dug wells were higher than the permissible limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) while Zn and Cu were within the permissible levels in drinking water. Blood Cd and Pb levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) among subjects who consumed hand-dug and borehole water than treated water, while serum Zn was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in hand-dug well and borehole water consumers than in control subjects. Also, serum FSH (p < 0.001), LH (p < 0.001), E2 (p < 0.002), PROG (p < 0.04) and T (p < 0.001) were significantly lower among hand-dug well and borehole water consumers than controls, while PROL (p < 0.001) was significantly higher in hand-dug well and borehole water consumers than controls. Blood Cd and Pb levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in hand-dug well water consumers than borehole water consumers. The consumption of water from hand-dug wells may have adverse reproductive sequelae among consumers.
Highlights
Water safety and quality are very important for human development and well-being.Besides the pathogenic risk of harmful microorganisms, several chemical contaminants are present in water as a result of human activities which could be risk factors to human and animal health [1,2]
Some have suggested that pesticides contaminants in drinking water might impact reproductive health
The age distribution of the 90 male subjects in this study shows that a majority (62.2%)
Summary
Water safety and quality are very important for human development and well-being. Besides the pathogenic risk of harmful microorganisms, several chemical contaminants are present in water as a result of human activities (anthropogenic) which could be risk factors to human and animal health [1,2]. Some authors have indicated that the contaminants in water could impair development, fertility and reproductive function in non-human mammals, humans, and aquatic wild life. Some have suggested that pesticides contaminants in drinking water might impact reproductive health. Studies have suggested that exposure to some pesticides was associated with low sperm quality and quantity as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes in both animals and humans [10,11]
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