Impact of mercury on reproductive parameters in workers

Abstract EN

Mercury concentrations in blood and urine were estimated in workers exposed to chronic doses of elemental mercury, as well as plasma levels ofLH, FSH, and testosterone.

Comparisons of mean values of studied parameters were made between exposed workers and controls, and within exposed subjects of different categories.

Mercury concentrations in both blood and urine were significantly higher in exposed workers than those of controls, and were even elevated in impotent individuals than in asymptotic ones.

However, there were no significant differences in plasma LH, FSH and testosterone levels in all groups.

On the other hand, the correlation coefficient was positively significant between blood and urinary mercury concentrations, only in exposed and impotent individuals.

More importantly, there vt-as a negative correlation, between urinary> mercury and testosterone concentrations in impotent subjects.