Impact of Occupational Exposure to Environmental Pollutants on Serum Sex-Hormone Profiles and Liver-Enzyme Activity in Male Workers: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background. Workers in fuel, energy, pharmaceutical and radiological settings are chronically exposed to a heterogeneous mixture of heavy metals, hydrocarbons and ionizing radiation. These agents are recognized endocrine disruptors and hepatotoxicants, yet integrated assessment of their effect on the male reproductive axis under real occupational conditions remains limited, particularly in Iraqi industrial environments. Objective. This study evaluated the association between occupational exposure to environmental pollutants and serum sex-hormone concentrations (testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone) together with hepatic-enzyme activity (ALT, AST, ALP) in male workers across four occupational settings, relative to a non-exposed control group. Methods. In this comparative cross-sectional study, 125 male participants were allocated to five groups (n = 25 each): a non-exposed control and four occupationally exposed groups drawn from power plants, fuel stations, the Samarra pharmaceutical plant, and a radiology department. Serum hormones and liver enzymes were quantified by ELISA and standard kinetic assays, respectively, and differences were tested by one-way ANOVA. Key findings. Exposed workers showed significantly elevated ALT and AST relative to controls, while ALP rose without reaching significance. Serum testosterone and FSH were significantly reduced in exposed groups, whereas LH was significantly elevated, yielding a consistent pattern of compensatory hypothalamic–pituitary signalling with impaired gonadal output. Conclusion. Chronic occupational exposure to environmental pollutants is associated with hepatic stress and disruption of the male reproductive endocrine axis. The findings support routine biomonitoring of liver and reproductive function in exposed workforces and the strengthening of occupational-protection measures.