Concentration of trace elements in human semen and relation to spermatozoa quality.

In this study the concentrations of trace elements such as lead, cadmium, iron, nickel, copper and zinc in the human semen (n = 47), occurrence of pathological spermatozoa, and correlations of these elements to pathological forms were investigated. For each sample of human spermatozoa at least 500 spermatozoa were evaluated. Metal contents were determined by the voltametric method and flame absorption spectrophotometry method. The concentrations of trace elements in human semen were: lead 1.49 +/- 0.40 mg x kg(- 1), cadmium 0.13 +/- 0.15 mg x kg(- 1), iron 2.59 +/- 0.21 mg x kg(- 1), nickel 0.40 +/- 0.07 mg x kg(- 1), copper 0.28 +/- 0.06 mg x kg(- 1), and zinc 153.93 +/- 67.08 mg x kg(- 1), respectively. The total percentage of pathological spermatozoa was 41.61 +/- 9.80% with predominancy of broken flagellum, flagellum torso and separated flagellum. In relation to trace elements the analysis showed correlation between copper and lead (r = -0.47), nickel and iron (r = 0.36), lead and flagellum ball (r = -0.39), cadmium and large heads (r = 0.37) and between iron and other forms of pathological spermatozoa (r = -0.32). Results of this study describe possible effects of trace elements on the spermatozoa quality in normal human sperm.

Environmental concentration of selected elements and relation to physicochemical parameters in honey.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the content of selected elements and physicochemical indicators of the honey of Apis mellifera. Samples of blossom, blend and honeydew honeys were randomly obtained from the Eastern, Western and Central of Slovakia. Contents of elements were measured with the use of flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) method and anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) method with CGMDE as working electrode. The content of heavy metals (mg/kg dry weight) ranged as follows: Zn 0.25-3.82; Cu 0.12-1.37; Ni 0.06-0.60; Mg 0.10-50.43; Ca 10.32-87.21; Pb and Cd were under detectable limit (0.001 mg/kg). The physical and chemical indicators ranged as follows: moisture (%) 16.00-19.80; HMF (mg/kg) 10.00-40.00; pH 3.58-5.12; conductivity (mS/m) 13.45-99.12 and a(w) 0.456-0.659. Significant difference (P < 0.05) for elements and physicochemical indicators was analyzed. Significant correlations between Cu - Zn, Cu - Ni, Cu - Mg, Ca - Zn and Ca - Mg were detected. With reference to Codex Alimentarius of Slovakia, maximal levels of heavy metals content and selected physicochemical properties were not exceeded. On average, the content of trace elements decreased in the order: Ca > Mg > Zn > Cu > Ni and physicochemical indicators decreased: conductivity > HMF > moisture > pH > a(w).

Combined effects of cadmium and ultraviolet radiation on mortality and mineral content in common frog (Rana temporaria) larvae.

The combined effects of UV with Cd(2 +) exposure on the mortality and mineral content of common frog larvae was investigated. Tadpoles were raised in increasing concentrations of Cd(2 +) (0-2000 microg x L(-1)). Additionally the larvae were exposed to biologically effective doses of UV-A (0.24 kJ x m(- 2)) and UV-B (2.71 kJ x m(- 2)). Parallel groups were grown in the same ionic concentrations in the absence of UV. In the second experiment larvae were exposed to sublethal doses of Cd(2 +) (1000 microg x L(-1)) for 3 days. Then the larvae were submitted to 4 weeks of recovery in clean water. Cd, Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, K contents and Na/K ratio were measured. In tadpoles exposed exclusively to Cd(2 +) the 96 h LC50 = 3155 microg x L(-1). By contrast in tadpoles exposed to Cd(2 +) and UV for 96 hours the LC50 = 710 microg x L(-1). More cadmium was accumulated in UV-exposed tadpoles. On the other hand tadpoles exposed to UV radiation removed cadmium more efficiently than non-irradiated larvae. Cu, Na, and K were positively correlated with Cd content while Mg was negatively correlated with Cd. Animals exposed to combined stressors had lower Mg, Fe, Ca, Na, Zn contents, lower Na/K ratio and higher Cu and K contents than animals exposed exclusively to cadmium. Our studies indicate that cadmium ions combined with UV significantly increase mortality of common frog tadpoles. This may be related to higher cadmium uptake, disturbances in the content of essential metals and ionic imbalance.