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Association between environmental exposure to p, p′-DDE and lindane and semen quality

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Abstract

Scientific concern exists about the toxic effect of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p, p′-DDE) and lindane on male infertility, and the mechanism underlying male reproductive toxicity of this pesticide remains unanswered. We investigated not only the possible association between the chlorinated pesticide levels and semen quality in nonoccupationally exposed men, but also the probable mode of action using mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). A study in 278 men (21–40 years old) who visited Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, KGMU, Lucknow, for semen analysis was conducted. We performed semen analysis according to the WHO guidelines, while p, p′-DDE and lindane analysis was done by the GLC and LPO by the spectrophotometer, and the sperm mitochondrial status, ROS, and SCSA with the flow cytometer. The questionnaire data showed no significant difference in the demographic characteristics between the two groups, i.e., trying to conceive >1 year and proven fertility. However, a significant difference in the concentration of p, p′-DDE and lindane was observed between the groups. When the subjects were divided among four categories by quartile of exposure, the subjects in the highest quartile showed low sperm motility as compared to the subjects in the lowest quartile. Pearson’s correlation showed a significant negative correlation between semen p, p′-DDE, lindane level, and sperm quality and positive association with the number of cells with depolarized mitochondria, elevation in ROS production and LPO, and DNA fragmentation index (DFI). The findings are suggestive that these toxicants might cause a decline in semen quality, and these effects might be ROS, LPO, and mitochondrial dysfunction mediated.

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Acknowledgments

The work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi. Thanks to Dr. H.B. Singh, DST for support and guidance. Prof. Surya Kant, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, CSMMU, Lucknow is acknowledged for valuable guidance. The authors are grateful to Mr. Deepak Joshi and Mrs. Rajni Joshi for stimulating discussions and assistance. The authors are grateful to Dr. Yogeshwar Shukla and Dr. Rakesh Kumar for the flow cytometry and pesticide estimation.

The work was done at Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow India, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi, India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, (AIIMS), Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India

    Niraj Pant & P. K. Chaturvedi

  2. King Georges Medical University, Lucknow, India

    M Shukla

  3. Department of Biostatistics, AIIMS, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India

    A. D. Upadhyay

  4. Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow India Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi, India

    D. K. Saxena

  5. Department of Pharmacology, AIIMS, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India

    Y. K. Gupta

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  1. Niraj Pant
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  2. M Shukla
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  3. A. D. Upadhyay
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  4. P. K. Chaturvedi
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Correspondence to Niraj Pant.

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Pant, N., Shukla, M., Upadhyay, A.D. et al. Association between environmental exposure to p, p′-DDE and lindane and semen quality. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 11009–11016 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-2965-x

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