title: [Effects of occupational exposure to pesticides on semen quality of workers in an agricultural community of Merida state, Venezuela].
abstract: Numerous studies report adverse effects of pesticides on male reproductive health. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether there is a relationship between occupational exposure to pesticides and semen quality, and to determine whether chronic exposure to pesticides differentially affects semen quality in men of different ages. A comparative study of 64 farmers and 64 control men was performed. The farmers were interviewed to determine their occupational history and particularly, activities that may involve exposure to pesticides. Semen parameters were evaluated and a comparative analysis of semen variables between exposed and control groups, as well as between age groups: 18-29, 30-37 and 38-60 years was done. Significant alterations of some semen parameters in the exposed group were found, such as: decreases in sperm concentration, slow progressive motility and sperm membrane integrity; at the same time, increases in eosin Y positive and sperm DNA fragmentation index. The results obtained by age groups showed significant differences between exposed and control groups for the parameters of membrane integrity, eosin Y positive and sperm DNA fragmentation index, being the exposed group between 18-29 years that showed the highest altered cases of these parameters. Our results prove that occupational pesticide exposure is associated with alterations in sperm quality, creating a risk to farm workers in their reproductive capacity.
authors: Leticia
authors: L
authors: Miranda-Contreras
authors: Ibis
authors: I
authors: Cruz
authors: Jesús A
authors: JA
authors: Osuna
authors: Roald
authors: R
authors: Gómez-Pérez
authors: Lisbeth
authors: L
authors: Berrueta
authors: Siham
authors: S
authors: Salmen
authors: Melisa
authors: M
authors: Colmenares
authors: Silvio
authors: S
authors: Barreto
authors: Alirio
authors: A
authors: Balza
authors: Yasmin
authors: Y
authors: Morales
authors: Leisalba
authors: L
authors: Zavala
authors: Emilitza
authors: E
authors: Labarca
authors: Nelly
authors: N
authors: García
authors: Beluardi
authors: B
authors: Sanchez
authors: Carlos A
authors: CA
authors: Contreras
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Andrade
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000383:Agriculture; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects*; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D014687:Venezuela; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides