Associations between pyrethroid exposure and serum sex steroid hormones in adults: Findings from a nationally representative sample

Abstract

BackgroundPyrethroids have been considered as potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals and have been shown to be associated with endocrine-related health outcomes. However, limited studies directly explored the link between pyrethroid exposure and sex hormones in the general population. ObjectivesTo explore the associations between exposure to pyrethroids and serum sex steroid hormones in adults. MethodsWe evaluated the cross-sectional associations in 1235 adults aged ≥20 years who had been assigned to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014. The urinary concentration of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) was applied as a biomarker of human pyrethroid exposure levels. Information on sex steroid hormones, including total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in serum were measured. Free androgen index (FAI) and the ratio of TT to E2 (TT/E2) were also calculated. The percent changes with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for a doubling of 3-PBA concentrations in the serum sex hormone levels were estimated using generalized linear regression models. ResultsThe overall median concentrations of creatinine-adjusted 3-PBA were 0.58 μg/g creatinine, and 90.0% of adults had a detectable level of 3-PBA. In females, every two-fold increase in 3-PBA was associated with 4.34% (95% CI: 1.58%, 7.18%) higher levels of TT and 4.05% (95% CI: 7.03%, 1.16%) higher levels of SHBG, respectively. In males, a doubling in 3-PBA was associated with 3.02% (95% CI: 1.21%, 4.86%) increase in SHBG but 1.85% (−3.59%, −0.07%) decrease in FAI, respectively. In addition, significant non-linear associations of 3-PBA with SHBG in both males and females and TT in females were observed. ConclusionsEnvironmental pyrethroid exposure was associated with altered sex hormones in adults. This study provides important epidemiological evidence for the association of pyrethroids with endocrine disruption.