# Impact of Heavy Metals on Human Male Fertility—An Overview

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how heavy metals disrupt hormones and affect male fertility, highlighting the need for more research and better diagnostic tools.

## Contribution

The study compiles existing human research on heavy metals and male infertility, emphasizing the need for clinical trials and improved assessment methods.

## Key findings

- Heavy metals act as endocrine disruptors, negatively affecting male fertility.
- Only 144 relevant studies were identified after screening 636 articles from three databases.
- Better diagnostic tools and clinical trials are needed to confirm heavy metals' role in male infertility.

## Abstract

Heavy metals are endocrine disruptors which interfere with processes mediated by endogenous hormones of the organism, negatively affecting endocrine functions. Some studies have correlated heavy metal exposure with male infertility. However, the number of studies conducted on humans are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study is to summarize the current knowledge on how heavy metals influence human male fertility. Hence, three distinct databases were consulted—PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science—using single keywords and combinations of them. The total number of identified articles was 636. Nevertheless, by using the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 144 articles were finally included in this work. Results display that the development of adequate instruments for heavy metal assessment may play an important function in human male fertility diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, clinical trials could be useful to confirm the role of heavy metals in human male fertility diagnosis. Overall, further research is required to fully understand the molecular and cellular basis of the influence of environmental and occupational exposure to heavy metals on human male infertility and reproductive outcomes.