title: Pesticides and fertility: an epidemiological study in Northeast Italy and review of the literature.
abstract: An increasing number of observations suggestive for a causal link between pesticide exposure and reproductive dysfunctions have appeared in literature during recent years. The present epidemiological analysis was undertaken to evaluate whether living in rural areas, where large amounts of pesticides are applied, represents a risk factor for infertility. Fertility rate (FR) was taken as statistical indicator for potential changes in fertility mediated by pesticides. The study analyzed a large population from an agricultural area of the North Eastern Italy, the Veneto Region. According to the estimated quantities of sprayed pesticides, the area was divided in three sub-areas with expected low, intermediate and high pesticide exposure. Comparisons of FR failed to detect significant differences among populations from the three selected areas, while regression analysis showed a significant decrease of FR relative to the total amount of pesticides used. Although several investigative shortcomings prevent the results from being conclusive, this study seemingly challenges the hypothesis that living in rural areas where large amounts of pesticides are applied represents a risk factor for fertility.
authors.affiliation: North East Registry of Congenital Malformations, Genetica Clinica ed Epidemiologica, Dipartimento Pediatria, Università di Padova, Italy. maurizio.clementi@unipd.it
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clementi
authors.forename: Gian Mario
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Tiboni
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Causin
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: La Rocca
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maranghi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raffagnato
authors.forename: Romano
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tenconi
mesh_terms: D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001723:Birth Rate / Q000639:trends; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D016573:Agrochemicals; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D010575:Pesticides