Urinary inorganic arsenic concentrations and semen quality of male partners of subfertile couples in Tokyo

ABSTRACT

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) has been known as a testicular toxicant in experimental rodents. Possible association between iAs exposure and semen quality (semen volume, sperm concentration, and sperm motility) was explored in male partners of couples (n = 42) who visited a gynecology clinic in Tokyo for infertility consultation. Semen parameters were measured according to WHO guideline at the clinic, and urinary iAs and methylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-hydride generation-ICP mass spectrometry. Biological attributes, dietary habits, and exposure levels to other chemicals with known effects on semen parameters were taken into consideration as covariates. Multiple regression analyses and logistic regression analyses did not find iAs exposure as significant contributor to semen parameters. Lower exposure level of subjects (estimated to be 0.5 μg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) was considered a reason of the absence of adverse effects on semen parameters, which were seen in rodents dosed with 4–7.5 mg kg⁻¹.

KEYWORDS:

• Infertility consultation
• inorganic arsenic
• methylarsonic acid
• semen parameters
• urine