title: Occupational exposure to pesticides, reproductive hormone levels and sperm quality in young Brazilian men.
abstract: The association of occupational exposure to current-use pesticides with reproductive hormones, semen quality, and genital measures was investigated among young men in the South of Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 99 rural and 36 urban men aged 18-23 years. Information on pesticide use was obtained through questionnaire. Serum and semen samples were analyzed for sex hormones and sperm parameters, respectively, and measurement of anogenital distance (AGD) and testis volume (TV) were performed. Associations were explored using multivariate linear regression. Rural men had poorer sperm morphology, higher sperm count, and lower LH levels relative to urban subjects. Lifetime use of pesticides, especially herbicides and fungicides, was associated with poorer morphology and reduced LH and prolactin, with evidence of a linear pattern. Maternal farming during pregnancy was associated with larger AGD and TV. Chronic occupational exposure to modern pesticides may affect reproductive outcomes in young men.
authors.affiliation: National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, CEP: 21041-210, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; University of Serra Gaúcha, CEP: 95020-472, Caxias do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address: clebercre@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Cleber
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cremonese
authors.affiliation: National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, CEP: 21041-210, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address: cami.piccolli@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piccoli
authors.affiliation: University of Caxias do Sul, CEP: 95070-560, Caxias do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address: fabio@conceptionbr.com.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pasqualotto
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Physiology Department & BIOVASC, State University of Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 20550-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address: rclapauch@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clapauch
authors.affiliation: National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, CEP: 21041-210, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address: rosalina.koifman@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Rosalina Jorge
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Koifman
authors.affiliation: National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, CEP: 21041-210, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koifman
authors.affiliation: National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, CEP: 21041-210, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Biomedical Research of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), CEP: 18012, Granada, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre Network for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain. Electronic address: cfreire@ugr.es.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Freire
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D042341:Gonadal Hormones / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D042341:Gonadal Hormones; D010575:Pesticides
keywords: Agricultural workers; Anogenital distance; Fungicides; Herbicides; Pesticides; Reproductive hormones; Sperm quality