Association of Pesticides with Measures of Sex Steroid Hormones in Adult Males: Findings from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Year: 2019
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: TPS 633: Health effects of pesticides, Johan Friso Foyer, Floor 1, August 27, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Background: Organochlorine pesticides are detectable in serum from most adults. Animal studies provide evidence of pesticides effects on sex hormones, suggesting that exposure may impact human reproductive function. Mounting evidence of sex-differences in chronic diseases like diabetes suggest that perturbations in endogenous sex hormones may influence disease development. However, the association between pesticide exposure and sex hormone levels in males across the lifespan is not well understood. Methods: We evaluated cross-sectional associations of serum concentrations of nine organochlorine pesticides in relation to sex steroid hormone levels [testostosterone (ng/dL), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG; nmol/L), estradiol (pg/mL), androstanedione glucuronide (ng/dL)] in a sample of 743 U.S. males aged 20 years and older from the 1999-2004 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Survey-weighted linear regression models were performed to estimate beta coefficients and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for age, race, body mass index, serum lipids, smoking, education, and survey year. Results: Serum β-hexachlorocyclohexane concentration was positively associated with total estradiol (p-trend=0.03) and free estradiol (p-trend =0.02). Hexachlorobenzene concentration was positively associated with total estradiol (p-trend =0.001), free estradiol (p-trend =0.02), and inversely associated with testosterone to estradiol ratio (p-trend =0.01). Serum p,p′-DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) concentration was inversely associated with SHBG (percent change Q4 versus Q1=-17.2, 95% CI=-29.9, -2.31; p-trend =0.01). No associations were observed for dieldrin, mirex, trans-nonachlor, p,p′-DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene), oxychlordane, or heptachlor epoxide. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that pesticides may alter male sex hormone levels. The positive associations with estradiol, and inverse association with SHBG are particularly relevant to diabetes risk, and if confirmed, may implicate sex hormones as a mechanism for disease development among those exposed to pesticides. This highlights the need to prioritize health protection, evaluate these associations prospectively, and further investigate molecular mechanisms related to disease development to mitigate the impact of exposure.
Source: Environmental Epidemiology
Authors: Madrigal J, Persky V, Sargis R, Turyk M
Institution: University of Illinois Chicago
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,200
OpenAlex ID: W2981926697