Effects on the prostate of environmental cadmium exposure--a cross-sectional population study in China.

To explore possible effects of environmental cadmium exposure on prostate in humans, and the possible relationship of serum sex hormones to occurrence of clinic signs of tissue changes in the prostate, a case-control study was undertaken in the southeast part of China in 1998. A total of 297 male volunteers from a control area and two cadmium-polluted areas were included as subjects in this study. All the subjects were required to answer a questionnaire and to undergo a complete physical examination including digital-rectal examination (DRE).

Impact of cadmium exposure on male sex hormones: a population-based study in China.

The objective of this study was to investigate the possible effects of environmental cadmium (Cd) exposure on the levels of serum sex hormones in a Chinese population group. A total of 263 male volunteers were included. Blood samples were collected for the determination of serum testosterone (T), measured by radioimmunoassay, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), both measured by enzyme immunoassays.