Effect of Environmental Exposures on the Egg Fertilizing Ability of Human Sperm

Our data indicate that environmental exposure to the heavy metal lead are more widespread than currently appreciated and that such exposures are associated with the production of human male subfertility. Lead's effects are observed in male partners of infertile couples attending an IVF clinical, in men acting as semen donors in an artificial insemination program and in men representative of the general public. Our goal is to identify the mechanism(s) underlying lead's anti-fertility action.