Objective. Infertility affects 19% of US women aged 15-49. Most US women face social stigma and healthcare access problems, especially in marginalized communities. Previous research suggests heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury are associated with increased risk of infertility. Given the prevalence of infertility and the lack of research on how heavy metals affect women’s fertility, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between lead, cadmium, and mercury and women’s infertility. Methods. Secondary cross-sectional data from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used. The sample size was 1272 participants after exclusion criteria. Student t-tests were performed between mean blood metal levels and infertility status. Adjusted and unadjusted binary logistic regressions were performed between each heavy metal and infertility status as well as when controlling for confounding variables. Results. No significant findings (p>0.05) were found between mean blood lead, cadmium, and mercury levels and infertility in initial t-tests. Unadjusted and adjusted binary logistic regression also did not yield significant odds between infertility and lead, cadmium, and mercury. Conclusions. This study did not result in findings consistent with current research most likely due to major limitations, mainly that there were a small number of people who reported being infertile. Future research suggestions include the use of more sensitive blood metal tests, longitudinal cohort data rather than cross-sectional, increased sample size of those who were infertile, and appropriate statistical analyses. Policymakers are recommended to establish accessible fertility programs and reduce heavy metal exposure given the harmful effects on the body. This project gave us practical research experience as epidemiology tract majors. The tools we learned to generate statistical results will be useful in our careers.
Authors: Mallory Berthel, Olivia Hall, & Julia Miller
Advisor: Saruna Ghimire, Gerontology
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