Reproductive hazards of lead exposure among urban Egyptian men.

Fifty-five urban Egyptian males, aged 20-40, were assigned to two main groups to study the effects of their exposure to lead (Pb). Group I, infertile men (INF, n = 30), was divided into environmentally exposed (INF-E, n = 15) and environmentally and occupationally exposed (INF-EO, n = 15). A matching group (II) of fertile men (F, n = 25) was divided into fertile, environmentally exposed (F-E, n = 10), which was the control group, and fertile, environmentally and occupationally exposed (F-EO, n = 15). Semen parameters (i.e., count, morphology, motility, and volume), blood and semen Pb levels, and reproductive hormonal indices (i.e., serum testosterone, FSH, and LH) were measured in all subjects. Lead levels were always higher in blood than semen. Semen lead levels were significantly higher in all groups vs. the control (F-E) group. While no changes were observed in testosterone levels across groups, variable effects on LH and FSH levels were observed. Infertile-EO subjects showed a definite pattern of impaired semen parameters in comparison with infertile-E. No abnormalities were detected in hematologic, hepatic or renal function.

Comparative study of the effect of atropine, P2AM, and Buscopan. Total belladonna and hyoscyamus alkaloids on parathion poisoning.

Among the available antidotes used against parathion poisoning, atropine and Buscopan are tolerated in relatively high doses by rats. Hyoscine (in very small doses), T. Bel. Alk. and T. Hyosc. Alk. (better results in small doses, also for dogs), P2AM (of superior antimuscarine action) are redommended with each of the preceding drugs than either alone or in combination with Buscopan.