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Gold in Human Semen Around and Away From a Gold Deposit Area

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Abstract

The study included evaluation of semen from normal, healthy adults and estimation of gold in seminal plasma from two regions Nilambur valley (Malappuram District, Kerala Province, India; n = 11), where gold deposit is present and Kollam town (Kerala Province, India; n = 13) where gold is not present in soil. All samples showed normal spermiogram. Gold was estimated in seminal plasma by employing inductively coupled plasma emission spectrophotometry. It varied from 0.23–1.15 ppm with mean 0.68 ppm in study area while in control area it was 0.13–0.71 ppm with a mean of 0.41 ppm. Statistical studies (independent ‘t’ test) showed significantly high level (p < 0.05) of gold in seminal plasma from study area. ANOVA test proved that gold in seminal plasma is a significant (p < 0.05) factor for total spermatozoa count and its percentage of motility.

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Acknowledgement

Estimation of gold was carried out at Sophisticated Test and Instrumentation Centre at Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, India. Initial part of work was carried out at Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Meeyyannoor, Kollam, India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Sir Syed Institute for Technical Studies, Taliparamba, 670 142, Kannur, India

    P. Sahab Khan, K. Ajesh & M. V. P. Siraj

  2. Department of Physiology, Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Chalakka, Ernakulam, 683 594, India

    K. P. Skandhan

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  1. P. Sahab Khan
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  2. K. P. Skandhan
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  3. K. Ajesh
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  4. M. V. P. Siraj
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Correspondence to K. P. Skandhan.

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Sahab Khan, P., Skandhan, K.P., Ajesh, K. et al. Gold in Human Semen Around and Away From a Gold Deposit Area. Biol Trace Elem Res 142, 302–308 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8783-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8783-1

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