Exposure to non-persistent pesticides and sexual maturation of Spanish adolescent males

Abstract

Background. Several non-persistent pesticides are endocrine disrupting chemicals and may impact on sexual maturation.

Objective. To examine the association between urinary biomarkers of non-persistent pesticides and sexual maturation in adolescent males in the Environment and Childhood (INMA) Project.

Methods. The metabolites of several pesticides were measured in spot urine samples collected from 201 boys aged 14–17 years, including: 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), metabolite of chlorpyrifos; 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxypyrimidine (IMPy), metabolite of diazinon; malathion diacid (MDA), metabolite of malathion; diethyl thiophosphate (DETP) and diethyl dithiophosphate, non-specific metabolites of organophosphates; 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) and dimethyl cyclopropane carboxylic acid, metabolites of pyrethroids; 1-naphthol (1-NPL), metabolite of carbaryl; and ethylene thiourea (ETU), metabolite of dithiocarbamate fungicides. Sexual maturation was assessed using Tanner stages, self-reported Pubertal Development Scale, and testicular volume (TV). Multivariate logistic regression was employed to examine associations between urinary pesticide metabolites and the odds of being in Tanner stage 5 of genital development (G5) or pubic hair growth (PH5); stage ≥4 of overall pubertal development, gonadarche, and adrenarche; or having mature TV (≥25 mL).

Results. DETP concentrations>75th percentile (P75) were associated with lower odds of being in stage G5 (OR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.10–0.70), detectable TCPy with lower odds of gonadal stage≥4 (OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.26–0.96), and intermediate detectable MDA concentrations (<P75) with lower odds of adrenal stage≥4 (OR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.11–0.94). Conversely, detectable concentrations of 1-NPL were associated with higher odds of adrenal stage≥4 (OR = 2.61; 95% CI = 1.30–5.24) but lower odds of mature TV (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.19–0.90).

Conclusion. Exposure to certain pesticides may be associated with delayed sexual maturity in adolescent males.