Abstract: Recently, environmental pollution was introduced as a contributing factor in decreasing male
fecundity via deterioration of semen quality. Our study aimed to compare serum and seminal plasma levels of
lead and cadmium in rural versus urban infertile men from Assiut governorate and also, to detect the
correlations of these heavy metals with conventional semen parameters and sperm vitality. Methodology
Seventy five infertile male patients from rural areas and 84 from urban areas in Assiut governorate were
included in the study. Lead and cadmium levels in serum and seminal plasma, conventional semen analysis and
sperm vitality with hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOS) were evaluated in all patients. Results: There was a
significant increase in both serum and seminal concentrations of lead and cadmium among infertile men from
urban areas in comparison to those from rural areas. No statistically significant difference could be detected in
semen parameters between the 2 groups. There were significant negative correlations between serum and
seminal concentrations of lead and cadmium on one hand and normal sperm morphology, progressive motility
and vitality (HOS) percentages on the other hand. Conclusions: Infertile men from urban areas are more
subject to hazardous environmental toxicants as heavy metals which may help in diagnosis of the unexplained
male infertility and necessitates special attention in management of those subjects attending infertility clinics
and belonging to urban areas.