Study finds certain metals, especially Copper and Chromium, adversely affect female fertility, while Zinc shows a protective effect, highlighting potential environmental factors in global fertility decline.
By Hugo Francisco de SouzaFeb 7 2024Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc. In a recent study published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, researchers investigated the impacts of multiple metal exposure on female fertility. They used a nested case-control study comprising 180 participants and multiple regression models for their analyses. Their findings reveal that, out of the 22 metals analyzed, eight metals were found to have adverse effects on fertility.
These adverse outcomes have prompted extensive research aimed at unraveling the causes and mechanisms underpinning this observation. Hitherto, education, social factors, environmental exposure, and the evolution of marriage have all been identified as potential reasons for declining fertility rates. Pollutant exposure, especially, has been implicated in adversely reducing the quantity of female ovarian germ cells via alternations to normal hormonal and reproductive functioning.
About the study In the present study, researchers used ICP-MS to evaluate the plasma concentrations and relative contributions of 22 metals to female fertility, identify the ones with the greatest impacts, and elucidate any synergistic interactions between different metal elements. The study cohort was derived from the Free Pre-pregnancy Health Examination Project carried out by the Maternal and Child Center of Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
Metals screened in this study – “Lithium , Natrium , Magnesium , Aluminium , Calcium , Titanium , Chromium , Manganese , Cobalt , Nickel , Copper , Zinc , Gallium , Selenium , Rubidium , Strontium , Zirconium , Molybdenum , Cesium , Barium , Thallium , and Lead ” Study findings and conclusions Demographic data revealed a slight yet statistically significant difference between the mean ages of the case and control cohorts – 28.5 and 29.8 years, respectively. Education level was found to play a role in fertility, with a higher education level corresponding to improved fertility outcomes.