Effects of low lead exposure on sperm quality and sperm DNA methylation in adult men.

ABSTRACT:

Instruction

Lead (Pb) exposure is a risk factor for male infertility, but the epigenetic changes in sperm DNAattributable to lead exposure is poorly defined.

Methods

In this study, we investigated whether low Pb exposure (<  10 µg/dL) affects the sperm quality. Blood, urine, and semen samples of 297 men of childbearing age were analyzed for all relevant parameters. Based on the blood Pb level (BLL), participants were allocated to RL (0-2.5 µg/dL), RM (2.5-5 µg/dL), and RH (5-10 µg/dL) groups. The 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine patterns in the sperm DNA were identified using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation and hydroxymethylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing.

Results

The non-progressive motility (NP) was significantly increased and associated with

SUBMITTER: Zhang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8335892 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature