Investigation of associations between exposures to pesticides and testosterone levels in Thai farmers. Issue 4 (4th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Panuwet, Parinya; Ladva, Chandresh; Barr, Dana Boyd; Prapamontol, Tippawan; Meeker, John D.; D'Souza, Priya Esilda; Maldonado, Héctor; Ryan, P. Barry; Robson, Mark G.
• Is Part Of: Archives of environmental & occupational health. Volume 73:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 205
• Page End: 218
• Publication Date: 2018-07-04
• Subjects: Endocrine disruptor -- exposures -- farmers -- pesticides -- reproductive health -- testosterone; Medicine, Preventive -- Periodicals; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational diseases -- Periodicals; Environmental Health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2017.1378606
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1933-8244

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the relationship between pesticide exposures and testosterone levels in 133 male Thai farmers. Urine and serum samples were collected concurrently from participants. Urine was analyzed for levels of specific and nonspecific metabolites of organophosphates (OPs), pyrethroids, select herbicides, and fungicides. Serum was analyzed for total and free testosterone. Linear regression analyses revealed significant negative relationships between total testosterone and the herbicide 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) after controlling for covariates (eg, age, BMI, smoking status). Positive significant associations were found between some OP pesticides and total testosterone. Due to the small sample size and the observational nature of the study, future investigation is needed to confirm our results and to elucidate the biological mechanisms.