Parallel assessment of male reproductive function in workers and wild rats exposed to pesticides in banana plantations in Guadeloupe.
BACKGROUND
There is increasing evidence that reproductive abnormalities are increasing in frequency in both human population and among wild fauna. This increase is probably related to exposure to toxic contaminants in the environment. The use of sentinel species to raise alarms relating to human reproductive health has been strongly recommended. However, no simultaneous studies at the same site have been carried out in recent decades to evaluate the utility of wild animals for monitoring human reproductive disorders. We carried out a joint study in Guadeloupe assessing the reproductive function of workers exposed to pesticides in banana plantations and of male wild rats living in these plantations.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed to assess semen quality and reproductive hormones in banana workers and in men working in non-agricultural sectors. These reproductive parameters were also assessed in wild rats captured in the plantations and were compared with those in rats from areas not directly polluted by humans.


RESULTS
No significant difference in sperm characteristics and/or hormones was found between workers exposed and not exposed to pesticide. By contrast, rats captured in the banana plantations had lower testosterone levels and gonadosomatic indices than control rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Wild rats seem to be more sensitive than humans to the effects of pesticide exposure on reproductive health. We conclude that the concept of sentinel species must be carefully validated as the actual nature of exposure may varies between human and wild species as well as the vulnerable time period of exposure and various ecological factors.
Multigner
Luc
L
Inserm, U625, Rennes, France. luc.multigner@rennes.inserm.fr
Kadhel
Philippe
P
Pascal
Michel
M
Huc-Terki
Farida
F
Kercret
Henri
H
Massart
Catherine
C
Janky
Eustase
E
Auger
Jacques
J
Jégou
Bernard
B
D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects*; D019430:Guadeloupe; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010575:Pesticides / Q000506:poisoning*; D051381:Rats; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
D010575:Pesticides; D013739:Testosterone