[Prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides and cryptorchidism]

Cien Saude Colet. 2010 Jun:15 Suppl 1:1169-74. doi: 10.1590/s1413-81232010000700025.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Fetuses and children are more susceptible to the effects of environmental toxins. The objective of this article is to determine the levels of organochlorine pesticides (HCB, ss-HCH, pp'DDT, op'DDT and pp'DDE) in the serum lipids of mothers of newborns with cryptorchidism and compare the levels to a control group of mothers of newborns with descended testicles. The cases were composed of newborns with cryptorchidism (n=41), and the controls (n=41) newborns with descended testicles. Blood samples from both groups of mothers were used to determine the organochlorine pesticide levels. Cryptorchidism was diagnosed at birth by a neonatologist. The results showed that the organochlorine pesticide residues were found in the serum lipids of both groups of mothers. The median serum lipid levels (mgkg-1 lipid-based) were statistically higher for the metabolites pp'DDT (0.464 vs. 0.269) and ss-HCH (0.263 vs. 0.192) in the cryptorchidism group compared to the control group (p<0.01). It could be concluded that the levels of the metabolites pp'DDT and ss-HCH are higher among mothers of newborns with cryptorchidism. It is possible that substances with anti-androgenic effects could produce endocrine disruption, such as cryptorchidism, during fetal development.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cryptorchidism / chemically induced*
  • Cryptorchidism / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / blood
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / toxicity*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Maternal Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Pesticides / toxicity*

Substances

  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
  • Pesticides