The present study investigated associations between environmental exposure to cobalt (Co) and the levels of oxidative stress parameters and the antioxidant defense system in the seminal plasma of fertile males. The study population consisted of 117 healthy, non-smoking, fertile men from the southern region of Poland. The study was carried out in 2021–22. Based on the median cobalt levels in seminal plasma, subjects were divided into two groups: those with low (Co-L) and high (Co-H) cobalt concentrations. Semen parameters assessed according to WHO 2021 recommendations. After the analysis of spermiograms, observed reduction in progressive motility after 1 h was found in the Co-H group. Moreover, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the Co-H group had lower activity and GR higher activity. The OSI (Oxidative stress index) were higher in the group with high cobalt concentration in semen. The concentrations of redox balance parameters: TOS, TAC and OSI significantly were higher in the Co-high group as well as GR activity. Environmental exposure to cobalt decreases sperm motility in both normal and abnormal semen. The findings from this study affirm that cobalt can induce oxidative stress and alter oxidative stress markers in semen.

本研究调查了钴 (Co) 环境暴露与可育男性精浆氧化应激参数水平和抗氧化防御系统之间的关联。研究对象包括来自波兰南部地区的 117 名健康、不吸烟、有生育能力的男性。该研究于 2021-22 年进行。根据精浆中钴的中位水平，受试者被分为两组：低钴浓度组 (Co-L) 和高钴浓度组 (Co-H)。根据 WHO 2021 年建议评估精液参数。精液图分析后，观察到 Co-H 组 1 小时后前向运动力下降。另外，Co-H组超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST)活性较低，GR活性较高。精液中钴浓度高的组的 OSI（氧化应激指数）较高。氧化还原平衡参数：TOS 、TAC 和 OSI 的浓度以及 GR 活性在高 Co 组中显着较高。环境中的钴暴露会降低正常和异常精液中的精子活力。这项研究的结果证实，钴可以诱导氧化应激并改变精液中的氧化应激标记物。