Association of heavy metal with sperm parameters and sex hormones: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
5 affiliations
- 1Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
- 2Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
- 3Vali-e-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 4Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 5Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
Abstract
Findings regarding the reproductive toxicity effect of heavy metals on sperm parameters and sex hormones level remain inconsistent. This study systematically reviewed and pooled the existing literature to assess the associations of heavy metal levels with sperm parameters and sex hormones. In this systematic review, international databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched until 31 March 2025 according to PRISMA guidelines. Observational studies assessing heavy metal concentrations in biological samples and their associations with sperm parameters or sex hormone levels were included. The chi-square-based Q test and I-squared statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity, and pooled estimates were obtained using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Eighteen studies involving 4041 participants were included. Qualitative synthesis revealed heterogeneous findings across heavy metals and sperm parameters, with significant findings reported mainly for Cd and Pb, while most associations with reproductive hormones were non-significant. Meta-analysis demonstrated a significant inverse association between seminal Cd and sperm motility (pooled Fisher's z = -0.17, 95% CI: -0.30 to -0.04; I² = 0%), whereas no significant pooled associations were observed for seminal Pb. The current evidence does not demonstrate consistent associations between heavy metal exposure and male reproductive parameters; however, limited significant inverse correlations were identified between seminal Cd and sperm motility. Evidence regarding reproductive hormones was limited and largely inconclusive, highlighting the need for larger, well-designed prospective studies.
Related
- Association Between Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and Melanoma Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies
- Association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and risk of sarcopenia: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.
- Bidirectional association between thyroid autoimmunity/thyroglobulin antibody and diminished ovarian reserve: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
- The association between e-cigarette use and dyslipidemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
- The association between serum uric acid and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a comprehensive meta-analysis of observational studies
BibTeX
@article{goodarzi2026association,
title = {{Association of heavy metal with sperm parameters and sex hormones: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.}},
author = {Saba Goodarzi and Arman Shafiee and Pegah Rashidian and Reza Ghoreshi and Shirin Djalalinia and Zahra Nouri Ghonbalani and Razieh Lotfi and Zohreh Mahmoodi and Mostafa Qorbani},
journal = {European journal of obstetrics \& gynecology and reproductive biology: X},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.eurox.2026.100505},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999869},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Association of heavy metal with sperm parameters and sex hormones: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
AU - Saba Goodarzi
AU - Arman Shafiee
AU - Pegah Rashidian
AU - Reza Ghoreshi
AU - Shirin Djalalinia
AU - Zahra Nouri Ghonbalani
AU - Razieh Lotfi
AU - Zohreh Mahmoodi
AU - Mostafa Qorbani
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology: X
DO - 10.1016/j.eurox.2026.100505
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999869
AB - Findings regarding the reproductive toxicity effect of heavy metals on sperm parameters and sex hormones level remain inconsistent. This study systematically reviewed and pooled the existing literature to assess the associations of heavy metal levels with sperm parameters and sex hormones. In this systematic review, international databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched until 31 March 2025 according to PRISMA guidelines. Observational studies assessing heavy metal concentrations in biological samples and their associations with sperm parameters or sex hormone levels were included. The chi-square-based Q test and I-squared statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity, and pooled estimates were obtained using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Eighteen studies involving 4041 participants were included. Qualitative synthesis revealed heterogeneous findings across heavy metals and sperm parameters, with significant findings reported mainly for Cd and Pb, while most associations with reproductive hormones were non-significant. Meta-analysis demonstrated a significant inverse association between seminal Cd and sperm motility (pooled Fisher's z = -0.17, 95% CI: -0.30 to -0.04; I² = 0%), whereas no significant pooled associations were observed for seminal Pb. The current evidence does not demonstrate consistent associations between heavy metal exposure and male reproductive parameters; however, limited significant inverse correlations were identified between seminal Cd and sperm motility. Evidence regarding reproductive hormones was limited and largely inconclusive, highlighting the need for larger, well-designed prospective studies.
SN - 2590-1613
ER -