Acrylamide (AA) is a highly reactive organic compound capable of polymerization to form polyacrylamide, which is commonly used throughout a variety of industries. Given its toxic effect on humans and animals, the last 20 years have seen an increased interest in research devoted to the AA. One of the main sources of AA is food. AA appears in heated food following the reaction between amino acids and reduced sugars. Large concentrations of AA can be found in popular staples such as coffee, bread or potato products. An average daily consumption of AA is between 0.3-2.0 µg/kg b.w. Inhalation of acrylamide is related with occupational exposure. AA delivered with food is metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450. AA biotransformation and elimination result in formation of toxic glycidamide (GA). Both, AA and GA can be involved in the coupling reaction with the reduced glutathione (GSH) forming glutathione conjugates which are excreted with urine. Biotransformation of AA leads to the disturbance in the redox balance. Numerous research proved that AA and GA have significant influence on physiological functions including signal propagation in peripheral nerves, enzymatic and hormonal regulation, functions of muscles, reproduction etc. In addition AA and GA show neurotoxic, genotoxic and cancerogenic properties. In 1994, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified acrylamide as a potentially carcinogenic substance to human.

Various studies have shown that the reproductive organs are highly sensitive to toxic elements found in the environment. Due to technological progress, the use of nanoparticles has become more common nowadays. Nanoparticles are used for drug delivery because their dimensions allow them to circulate throughout the body and enter directly into the cell. Antimicrobial properties are increasingly used in the manufacture of medical devices, textiles, food packaging, cosmetics, and other consumer products. Nanoparticles provide several benefits, but aspects related to their effects on living organisms and the environment are not well known. This review summarizes current in vivo, and in vitro animal studies focused on the evaluation of toxicity of selected metal nanoparticles (Ag, ZnO, TiO₂) on male and female reproductive health. It can be concluded that higher concentrations of metal nanoparticles in the male reproductive system can cause a decrease in spermatozoa motility, viability and disruption of membrane integrity. Histopathological changes of the testicular epithelium, infiltration of inflammatory cells in the epididymis, and prostatic hyperplasia have been observed. Nanoparticles in the female reproductive system caused their accumulation in the ovaries and uterus. Metal nanoparticles most likely induce polycystic ovary syndrome and follicular atresia, inflammation, apoptosis, and necrosis also occurred.

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.kg^{− 1}, cadmium 0.13 ± 0.15 mg.kg^{− 1}, iron 2.59 ± 0.21 mg.kg^{− 1}, nickel 0.40 ± 0.07 mg.kg^{− 1}, copper 0.28 ± 0.06 mg.kg^{− 1}, and zinc 153.93 ± 67.08 mg.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 pollution results in serious health hazards to animals and blood analysis serves as a good alternative for health status assessment. The target of this study was to analyze the concentration of selected metals in equine blood, to analyze the blood parameters and to find possible correlations. Blood samples were collected from the vena jugularis of healthy adult horses. The highest concentration of all elements was found in whole blood (Cu 3.84 ± 0.90 mg L⁻¹; Cd = 0.81 ± 0.90 mg L⁻¹; Zn 26.67 ± 14.12 mg L⁻¹; Pb 9.33 ± 5.76 mg L⁻¹). Higher concentrations of copper, cadmium, zinc and lead were detected in blood clots compared to blood sera (44.04%). A similar tendency was found for cadmium (50%), zinc (13.08%) and lead (46.02%), which showed generally higher concentrations in blood clots (cells). Correlation analysis proved some relations between analyzed elements. In blood clots there is a strong positive correlation between Cd – Pb (r = 0.93) and Zn – Pb (r = 0.71) was detected. For biochemical and hematological parameters mainly medium correlations were detected. Obtained results prove different correlations of analyzed elements in blood components as well as the effect on parameters of blood biochemical and hematological profiles.

Concentrations of selected heavy metals in the femora and femoral bone structure of bank (Myodes glareolus) and common (Microtus arvalis) voles from different polluted biotopes in Slovakia (Kolíňany and Nováky sites) were investigated. Length, weight, and histological structure of vole bones were also analyzed. We observed higher concentrations of lead (Pb), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the bones of both species from the Kolíňany site. Significant differences were observed in the concentration of Fe in bank and common voles (p < 0.05) and in the concentration of Zn (p < 0.05) in common voles. The animals from Nováky had higher concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) in their bones; however, the differences were not significant. The measured values for bone length and weight were higher in both species from Nováky (p < 0.05). We did not identify differences in qualitative histological characteristics of the femora between the voles (M. glareolus and M. arvalis separately) between the two biotopes. In addition, no statistically significant differences for any the measured variables of primary osteons’ vascular canals were observed. Correlation analysis in M. glareolus showed a strong positive relation between Cd and Ni (r = 0.52), Pb and bone weight (r = 0.53), Fe and bone weight (r = 0.52), and Fe and perimeter size of primary osteons’ vascular canals (r = 0.55). In common voles, a strong positive relation was found between Fe and Cu (r = 0.60) and between Fe and perimeter size of vascular canals of primary osteons (r = 0.55). Our results indicate that accumulation of some heavy metals is slightly increased in the femora of both species at Kolíňany.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of alcohol exposure on liver and kidney antioxidant systems in taurine exhibition during different time periods. Mice were divided into groups: I – control; II – alcohol (2.5 g/kg b.w.); III – taurine (42.84 mg/kg b.w.); and IV – alcohol + taurine. Treatments were provided for 24 h, 14 days, and 56 days. In the liver and kidney of the alcohol group, antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) activities, reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were decreased, as compared to the control group in all time periods. Taurine was found to be effectively inhibiting oxidative action of alcohol and increasing all the tested parameters in the liver (after 24 h) and kidney (after 24 h and 14 days). Moreover, the positive effect of taurine administration on GSH and MDA levels persisted in the kidneys of mice exposed to alcohol for 56 days. In conclusion, alcohol administration led to a significant influence on antioxidant system in the liver and kidney, but simultaneous intake of taurine, along with ethanol, partly attenuated the antioxidant changes in these organs.