Endocrine Abstracts

Heavy metals are present in different waste types and products found in landfills and they are known not only to pose considerable health risk in the waste management sector but also specifically engender health hazards for the environment and people living near the landfills and dumpsites. However, there is little evidence associating male proximity to dumpsites with reproductive function. This study was carried out to examine the effects of heavy metal levels on reproductive function in direct exposure to a municipal dumpsite. Ten male rats were raised from birth to adulthood on the dumpsite (DSE group) and they were fed on solid wastes and leachates while another ten male rats which served as control were raised in the laboratory environment and feed and water were provided ad litum. At adulthood serum lactate dehydrogenase (SLDH), intratesticular lactate dehydrogenase (ITLDH) (marker of cellular ATP), fructose in the seminal vesicle and coagulating glands, and epididymal heavy metal levels were measured. There was a significant increase in the nickel and arsenic levels of the DSE group compared to the control, while there were significant alterations in the fructose levels and SLDH levels in the DSE rats compared with the control. There was significant positive correlation between the ITLDH and copper levels (P<0.05) as well as between ITLDH and mercury levels (P<0.05) in the DSE group. Taken together, the alterations in some heavy metal levels and correlation with lactate dehydrogenase level suggest possible impaired reproductive function in men that live close to dumpsites.