Effect of agropesticides use on male reproductive function: A study on farmers in Djutitsa (Cameroon)

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the effect of agropesticides on male reproductive function in farmers in Djutitsa (West Cameroon). To this end, 47 farmers in Djutitsa were asked questions on their health status and pesticide use in agriculture. Thereafter, their blood samples were collected for assessment of sex hormones including serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), androstenedione, testosterone, as well as sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Their serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels were also measured. Thirty seven men not exposed to agropesticides were recruited as control group. Fifty six pesticides containing 25 active substances were currently used by farmers enrolled in our study, and most of their symptoms were related to spread/use of these chemicals. Compared to the control group, there was no significant difference in FSH, LH, SHBG, estradiol, and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) levels. Farmers had significantly lower serum testosterone (20.93 ± 1.03 nM vs. 24.32 ± 1.32 nM; P < 0.05) and higher androstenedione level (3.83 ± 0.20 nM vs. 2.80 ± 0.15 nM; P < 0.001). Their serum free testosterone as well as bioavailable testosterone were unchanged, while estradiol/testosterone and androstenedione/testosterone ratios were significantly increased (0.45 ± 0.03% vs. 0.33 ± 0.02%; P < 0.01 and 12.26 ± 3.64 vs 19.31 ± 6.82; P < 0.001, respectively). Our results suggest that male farmers of Djutitsa (West Cameroon) are exposed to agropesticides due to improper protective tool, and this exposure may impair their reproductive function through inhibition of testosterone synthesis; probably by inhibition of testicular 17β- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD3) and induction of aromatase (CYP19).

RETRACTED: The influence of organophosphate and carbamate on sperm chromatin and reproductive hormones among pesticide sprayers

“…In Mexican floriculturists occupationally exposed to OP pesticides, Blanco-Munoz et al (2010) demonstrated a negative association between urinary levels of OP metabolites and serum inhibin B, FSH, and LH levels, but a positive association with serum Tt levels. Manfo et al (2012) did not find significant changes in FSH, LH, T3, and T4 levels in farmers exposed to agropesticides in Djutitsa (West Cameroon); however, there were significant decreases in serum levels of Tt and androstenedione.…”

Evaluation of 99 Pesticide Residues in Major Agricultural Products from the Western Highlands Zone of Cameroon Using QuEChERS Method Extraction and LC-MS/MS and GC-ECD Analyses

“…Additionally, our results of the 62 quantified pesticides in the food items agree with the findings of Winter [30], who reported a total of 77 individual pesticides detected from market basket samples analyzed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004 and 2005. The report of Manfo et al [4], who showed that 56 pesticides containing 25 active substances were used by farmers of Djutitsa, located in our sampling region of Cameroon, can justify our results. Moreover, Mahob et al [6] found that 35 different chemicals were marketed in Cameroon for use in cocoa, among which there were 4 herbicides, 11 fungicides, and 20 insecticides.…”

“…In Cameroon, pesticides are largely used by farmers and traders to protect their growing plants and products in the field and during storage [3,4,5,6,7]. Despite the numerous advantages of pesticide use in agriculture, there is a need for scientific evaluation and control of these products.…”

“…Recent studies [4] suggested that the male farmers of Djutitsa in West Cameroon are exposed to agro-pesticides due to improper personal protective equipment (PPE), and this exposure may impair their reproductive function. Inappropriate use of pesticides by Cameroonian farmers has been documented in many studies from different parts of the country [4,7,10,11,12,13]. This was because farmers did not receive sufficient training on pesticide application and proper assistance from agricultural extension agents [7], which could result in high levels of pesticide residues in local foods.…”

Protective effect ofBasella albaandCarpolobia albaextracts against maneb-induced male infertility

“…An example of pesticide is manganese ethylenebis (dithiocarbamate) (maneb), a fungicide most frequently used by farmers in West Cameroon. Maneb has been shown to decrease fertility and sperm number in male rats/rabbits, at least in part, through impairment of thyroid function and inhibition of steroid production by Leydig cells (Mallem et al, 2007;Manfo et al, 2011aManfo et al, , 2012. Moreover, our study conducted in the West Region of Cameroon revealed that farmers, who were using maneb among other agropesticides, reported more reproduction difficulties and showed androgen hormone imbalances (lower serum testosterone and higher androstenedione levels) .…”