Pyrethroid insecticide metabolites are associated with serum hormone levels in adult men.
Experimental studies have reported that pyrethroid insecticides affect male endocrine and reproductive function, but human data are limited. We recruited 161 men from an infertility clinic between years 2000-2003 and measured serum reproductive and thyroid hormone levels, as well as the pyrethroid metabolites 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3PBA) and cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (cis-DCCA and trans-DCCA) in spot urine samples. When adjusting for potential confounders, categories for all three metabolites, as well as their summed values, were positively associated with FSH (all p-values for trend <0.05). Statistically significant or suggestive positive relationships with LH were also found. In addition, cis-DCCA and trans-DCCA were inversely associated with inhibin B (p for trend=0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Finally, there was evidence that trans-DCCA was inversely associated with testosterone and free androgen index (the ratio of testosterone to sex hormone binding globulin; p for trend=0.09 and 0.05, respectively). The observed relationships were consistent with previous findings, but further research is needed for a better understanding of the potential association between pyrethroid insecticides and male reproduction.
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. meekerj@umich.edu
John D
JD
Meeker
Dana B
DB
Barr
Russ
R
Hauser
D000328:Adult; D001565:Benzoates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000652:urine*; D001711:Biotransformation; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000652:urine*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000652:urine*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
D001565:Benzoates; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; D006728:Hormones; D007306:Insecticides; D011722:Pyrethrins; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; C422364:inhibin B; D013739:Testosterone; C069616:3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid; D007265:Inhibins; C017618:3-phenoxybenzoic acid; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone