Serum Levels of p,pʼ-DDE and Reproductive Hormone Profile in Male Greenhouse Workers of Morelos, Mexico

Abstract

ISEE-0233 Background: Some evidence suggests that organochlorine pesticides (OC) have estrogenic, antiestrogenic and androgen-interfering properties, however the data regarding association between these compounds and hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis function are limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between OC exposure, as assessed by serum levels of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (p,p'-DDE), and reproductive hormone profile in male greenhouse workers of Morelos, Mexico. Methods: During the period July-September 2004, we interviewed and collected blood and urine samples from 104 male greenhouse workers. The questionnaire included information on their socioeconomic characteristics, tobacco and alcohol use, presence of chronic and acute diseases, occupational history and anthropometry. Serum levels of p,p'-DDE were analyzed by gas chromatography. Serum samples were analyzed for FSH, LH, Testosterone, Estradiol, Inhibin B and Prolactin by enzymatic immunoassay. We also analyze urinary levels of dialkylphosphates (DAPs: dmp, dmtp, dmdtp dep, detp, dedtp) by gas chromatography. Associations between serum levels of p,p'-DDE and male reproductive hormones (transformed to their natural logarithm) were evaluated using multiple linear regression models. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders (age, body mass index and DAPs urinary levels), we found that p,p'-DDE levels were negatively associated with testosterone serum levels (β = −.000042, P = 0.000) and positively with inhibin B (β = .000120, P = 0.002). No association was observed between serum levels of p,p'-DDE and the other hormones. Conclusion: The results of this study show that there are significant differences in the male hormonal profile according to serum p,p'-DDE levels, and provides additional support for that OC exposure can affect hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis function in humans.