Sperm chromatin integrity in DDT-exposed young men living in a malaria area in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.
BACKGROUND
There is mounting evidence that deteriorated semen quality may be associated with increased serum concentration of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(chlorodiphenyl)ethane (DDT) and its metabolites. The problem is exacerbated in situations where DDT is the only resource available to control malaria mosquitoes and DDT metabolite plasma concentration can reach 1000-fold the level found in other populations. There are limited and contradictory epidemiological data on whether DDT/dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene (DDE) can also damage sperm DNA. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the possible adverse effects on human sperm genetic integrity in a sufficiently large study population with adequate exposure contrasts, especially in the high exposure range.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study, recruiting 209 young males from three communities in an endemic malaria area where DDT is sprayed annually. Blood plasma p,p'-DDT and its metabolite p,p'-DDE levels were measured and expressed as lipid adjusted p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE values. The sperm chromatin structure assay and Aniline Blue test were used to assess sperm DNA/chromatin integrity.


RESULTS
The lipid adjusted p,p'-DDT mean (+/-SD) and median concentrations were 109.2 (+/-106.6) and 83.9 microg/g, respectively; and the lipid adjusted p,p'-DDE mean (+/-SD) and median concentrations were 246.2 (+/-218.5) and 177.8 microg/g, respectively. The results point to a weak association between DDT/DDE plasma concentration and the incidence of sperm with chromatin defects.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that non-occupational environmental DDT exposure may have a negative impact on sperm chromatin integrity in young South African males.
de Jager
C
C
Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Health Systems & Public Health, University of Pretoria, PO Box 667, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. tiaan.dejager@up.ac.za
Aneck-Hahn
N H
NH
Bornman
M S
MS
Farias
P
P
Leter
G
G
Eleuteri
P
P
Rescia
M
M
Spanò
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002843:Chromatin / Q000187:drug effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003634:DDT / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D004249:DNA Damage; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000097:blood; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013019:South Africa; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*
D002843:Chromatin; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D003634:DDT