ASSESSMENT OF THE HEALTH RISKS OF THE EXPOSURE TO ORGANOPHOSPHATE AMONG MALES

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Institute of Environmental Studies and Research, Ain Shams University

2 Department of Clinical Nutrition, National Nutrition Institute

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, a great deal of attention has focusedon the impact of endocrine disruptors released in the environmenton animal and human health. Generally, endocrinedisruptors have estrogenic activity. These products interferewith hormone biosynthesis, metabolism, or action resulting ina deviation from normal homeostatic control or reproduction. Our primary objective was to evaluate the possible role of environmental estrogen on sexual disturbance among males.
Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited 26 apparently healthy males characteristics of life style, symptoms covering various systems, general examination including, body mass index, waist line, resting blood pressure were done. Venous blood samples were used for detection of both total testosterone & plasma (Butyryl choline esterase (BuChE) activity.
Results: the mean age was (36.54 ± 6.04) years with mean BMI of (28.98 ± 5.16) kg/m2. , mean waist (102.78 ± 11.18) cm. 66.7% of the cases were married with 13.3% of them have fertility problem & 20%of sample have sexual problem. 66.7% of the studied group use pesticide at home. The main findings of this study were, regarding hormonal profile; nearly all studied group had hormonal values and acetylecholine esterase (AChE) within the reference range but there is a negative association between organophosphate (OP) pesticides exposure assessed by the AchE as indicator and serum total testosterone levels. AchE was also negatively associated with fruit & vegetables consumption/week; whereas there is a positive association with age.

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