Detrimental effects of heavy metals on animals and humans are of considerable concern. This research describes the long-term effects of exposure of male sheep to emissions from a copper smelter. Blood parameters and reproductive hormones were measured in male Kermani sheep reared around a copper smelter in KhatoonAbad, Kerman province, Iran. Representative blood samples were collected from randomly-selected rams (3–4 years old) at 4 geographical directions (south, north, east and west) and 4 distances (approximately 10, 20, 30 and 40 km) from the smelter. Hematological and biochemical parameters including WBC, HCT, HGB, AST, ALT, ALP and LDH were higher (P < 0.05) in flocks located at 10 km south from the smelter and lower at 40 km west; indicating liver and kidney damage in the sheep reared at shorter distances to the smelter. The relative expressions of HSD17B3 and CYP11A1 mRNA levels in the testis were lower at 10 km and highest at 40 km distance. Expression levels of HSD17B3 and CYP11A1 in the west direction were 11.3 and 11.1 percent higher than in the south direction. The lowest concentration of FSH, LH and T, were observed at 10 km south, an indication of deranged hypothalamic- hypophyseal- testicular function in these sheep. At 10 km distance, FSH concentration was 70 percent lower, and at 10 km south, T and LH levels were 92 and 83 percent lower than the highest values obtained at 40 km west. It was concluded that long-term exposure to heavy metals around this smelter may reduce the general health and normal reproductive function in male sheep, and probably other living species. However, more detailed studies in the region are warranted.

重金属对动物和人类的有害影响是相当令人担忧的。这项研究描述了雄性绵羊暴露于铜冶炼厂排放物的长期影响。在伊朗克尔曼省 KhatoonAbad 的一家铜冶炼厂周围饲养的雄性克尔曼羊的血液参数和生殖激素被测量。在 4 个地理方向（南、北、东和西）和距离冶炼厂的 4 个距离（大约 10、20、30 和 40 公里）处，从随机选择的公羊（3-4 岁）收集代表性血液样本。血液学和生化参数，包括 WBC、HCT、HGB、AST、ALT、ALP 和 LDH，在距离冶炼厂以南 10 公里处的鸡群中较高（P < 0.05），在西部 40 公里处较低；表明在距离冶炼厂较近的距离饲养的绵羊肝脏和肾脏受损。睾丸中HSD17B3和CYP11A1 mRNA水平的相对表达在10公里处较低，在40公里处最高。HSD17B3和CYP11A1在西向的表达水平比南向高11.3%和11.1%。在向南 10 公里处观察到 FSH、LH 和 T 的最低浓度，表明这些绵羊的下丘脑-垂体-睾丸功能紊乱。在 10 公里距离处，FSH 浓度低 70%，在向南 10 公里处，T 和 LH 水平比在向西 40 公里处获得的最高值低 92% 和 83%。结论是，长期接触该冶炼厂周围的重金属可能会降低雄性绵羊和其他生物物种的整体健康和正常生殖功能。但是，需要对该地区进行更详细的研究。