title: Farm residence and reproductive health among boys in rural South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have investigated reproductive health effects of contemporary agricultural pesticides in boys.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the association between pesticide exposure and reproductive health of boys.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study in rural South Africa of boys living on and off farms. The study included a questionnaire (demographics, general and reproductive health, phyto-estrogen intake, residential history, pesticide exposures, exposures during pregnancy); and a physical examination that included sexual maturity development ratings; testicular volume; height, weight, body mass index; and sex hormone concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 269 boys recruited into the study, 177 (65.8%) were categorized as farm (high pesticide exposures) and 98 (34.2%) as non-farm residents (lower pesticide exposures). Median ages of the two groups were 11.3 vs 12.0 years, respectively (p<0.05). After controlling for confounders that included socioeconomic status, farm boys were shorter (regression coefficient (RC)=-3.42 cm; 95% confidence interval (CI): -6.38 to -0.45 cm) and weighed less (RC=-2.26 kg; CI: -4.44 to -0.75 kg). The farm boys also had lower serum lutenizing hormone (RC=-0.28 IU/L; CI: -0.48 to -0.08 IU/L), but higher serum oestradiol (RC=8.07 pmol/L; CI: 2.34-13.81 pmol/L) and follicle stimulating hormone (RC=0.63 IU/L; CI: 0.19-1.08 U/L).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study provides evidence that farm residence is associated with adverse growth and reproductive health of pubertal boys which may be due to environmental exposures to hormonally active contemporary agricultural pesticides.
authors: Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Cape, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7729, South Africa.
authors: René Glynnis
authors: RG
authors: English
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Perry
authors: Mary M
authors: MM
authors: Lee
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: Hoffman
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Delport
authors: Mohamed Aqiel
authors: MA
authors: Dalvie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis*; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013019:South Africa; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010575:Pesticides; D048789:Phytoestrogens