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In Venezuela, organophosphate and carbamate pesticides are widely used in agriculture. The concomitant occupational exposure to these pesticides may affect male reproductive function by reducing the activity of brain acetylcholinesterase, which can impair hypothalamic and pituitary gland functions, thereby affecting normal gonadal processes. This study investigated possible reproductive endocrine disruption in farmers exposed to pesticides.
Methods
We evaluated 64 men, aged 18 to 55 years, from an agricultural community of the State of Merida, Venezuela. To evaluate pesticide exposure, blood samples were collected for measuring plasma (PChE) and erythrocyte (AChE) cholinesterases, using Test Mate Assay Kits. Serum levels of reproductive and thyroid hormones (Tt, FSH, LH, PRL, TSH y FT4) were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. Semen parameters were determined according to World Health Organization criteria. Sperm chromatin structure was analyzed by flow cytometry, using Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay; results were expressed as DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI).
Results
The results showed that 83% of agricultural workers had decreased levels of PChE and 25%, with diminished levels of AChE. Young workers, between 18 and 28 years old, were most affected. Significant differences were obtained in the average cholinesterase levels between normal and altered cases for both AChE (3.95 ± 0.42 vs. 2.72 ± 0.16 U/mL, p < 0.0001) and PChE (2.08 ± 0.25 vs. 1.43 ± 0.32 U/mL, p < 0.0001). Among workers with abnormal PChE levels, 69.7% showed altered sperm chromatin structure. There was a significant negative correlation (p = 0.02) between sperm DFI and PChE level. Increased serum LH was observed in 45% of the cases, however, no significant abnormalities were found in Tt, PRL, FSH, FT4 and TSH levels.
Discussion
These results indicate that sperm chromatin is a vulnerable target of exposure to pesticides and alteration of serum LH levels may contribute to adverse reproductive outcomes.