Inhalation of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate adversely affect sperm function

Among the components of air pollution in developing countries and Asia, (NH4)(2)SO4 and NH4NO3 are known as major water-soluble in-organic compounds that cause particulate matter. Several researchers have been reported that the (NH4)(2)SO4 and NH4NO3 induce abnormal decreases in body weight, as well as pneumotoxic, and immunotoxic. Moreover, while it has been reported that (NH4)(2)SO4 and NH4NO3 have detrimental effects on reproduction, specific effects on male fertility have not been addressed in depth. Therefore, the present study evaluated the reproductive toxicity of (NH4)(2)SO4 and NH4NO3 in spermatozoa under the capacitation condition. Results showed that various sperm motion parameters were significantly altered after inhalation of (NH4)(2)SO4 and NH4NO3. In particular, alterations to a range of motion kinematic parameters and to capacitation status were observed after capacitation. In addition, protein kinase A (PKA) activity and tyrosine phosphorylation were altered by (NH4)(2)SO4 and NH4NO3 regardless of capacitation. Taken together, our results show that inhalation of (NH4)(2)SO4 and NH4NO3 may induce adverse effects on male fertility such as sperm motility, motion kinematics, and capacitation status via unusual tyrosine phosphorylation by abnormal PKA activity. Therefore, we suggest that exposure to (NH4)(2)SO4 and NH4NO3 should be highlighted as a health risk, as it may lead to male reproductive toxicity in humans and animals.