title: Reproductive disorders among male and female greenhouse workers.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate reproductive disorders in male and female greenhouse workers. In 2002, data were collected from 4872 Dutch greenhouse workers and 8133 referents through postal questionnaires with detailed questions on reproductive disorders of the most recent pregnancy, lifestyle habits, and occupational exposures (e.g. pesticides) prior to conception. Different reproductive outcome measures were compared between 957 male and 101 female greenhouse workers and 1408 referents by means of logistic regression analyses. The analyses of primigravidous couples showed a slightly elevated risk of prolonged TTP (OR(women)=1.9; 95% CI: 0.8-4.4) and an increased risk of spontaneous abortion among female greenhouse workers (OR(women)=4.0; 95% CI: 1.1-14.0). A decreased risk of preterm birth was found among male greenhouse workers (OR(men)=0.1; 95% CI: 0.03-0.5). This study may offer some evidence for the hypothesis that pesticide exposure affects human reproduction leading to spontaneous abortion and possibly to prolonged time-to-pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. R.Bretveld@epib.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Reini W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Bretveld
authors.forename: Mariëtte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hooiveld
authors.forename: Gerhard A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Zielhuis
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pellegrino
authors.forename: Iris A L M
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: van Rooij
authors.forename: Nel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roeleveld
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000139:chemically induced; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities; D005260:Female; D051639:Gardening; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000139:chemically induced; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012744:Sex Ratio; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides