Effects of environmental endocrine disruptors, including insecticides used for malaria vector control on reproductive parameters of male rats

Abstract

The male reproductive system is sensitive to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during critical developmental windows. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed in utero-, during lactation-and directly to 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), 1,1,-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) and a mixture of DDT, deltamethrin (DM), pnonylphenol (p-NP) and phytoestrogens, at concentrations found in a malaria-area. After dosing for 104 days, histological assessments and reproductive-endpoints were assessed.The anogenital distance (AGD) (P = 0.005) was shorter in the mixture-exposed group, while the prostate mass (P = 0.018) was higher in the DDT-exposed group. A higher testicular mass and abnormal histology was observed in the DDT-(P = 0.019), DDE-(P = 0.047) and mixture-exposed (P < 0.005) groups. This study shows that in utero-, lactational-and direct exposure to EDCs present in a malaria-area negatively affects male reproductive parameters in rats. These findings raise concerns to EDC-exposures to mothers living in malaria-areas and the reproductive health of their male offspring. 1

Agrochemicals in freshwater systems and their potential as endocrine disrupting chemicals: A South African context

“… Patrick et al (2016) assessed the ED effects associated with life-time exposure ( in utero -, lactational- and direct) to DDT and DDE at environmentally relevant concentrations. Endocrine disrupting effects were evaluated by measuring the response of different male reproductive endpoints (anogenital distance, prostate mass) and testicular histology in Sprague-Dawley rats.…”

Endocrine Disruptors and Health Effects in Africa: A Call for Action

“…Studies investigating water sources in rural and urban areas indicated that a mixture of EDCs, including pesticides, was present at levels that raised concern about health effects in both humans and wildlife ( Bornman et al 2007 , 2010a ; Quinn et al 2011 ). Reproductive toxicology studies on laboratory rats using environmentally relevant chemical mixtures of EDCs found in a malaria area in South Africa demonstrated adverse effects on male reproductive health that may have a negative impact on future generations ( Kilian et al 2007 ; Patrick et al 2016 ).…”

“…Observational and experimental studies on DDT have examined the effects of both chronic and acute DDT exposures on humans ( Aneck-Hahn et al 2007 ; de Jager et al 2009 ; Bornman et al 2010c ), wildlife ( Bornman et al 2010b ; Bouwman et al 2013 ), and laboratory animals including freshwater fish ( Brink et al 2012 ) and rats ( Patrick et al 2016 ). Laboratory animal studies have shown that in utero exposure to DDT or DDE can disrupt development of ovarian tissue, reduce penis size, and induce hypospadias and cryptorchidism, leading to suggestions that DDT exposures might be involved in observed increases in human male reproductive tract anomalies ( Gore et al 2015 ).…”

Effects Research of Environmental Hormone BPA and PAEs on the Expression of HSP70-9 Gene in Spinacia oleracea

“…Environmental hormones (EHs) are compounds present in the environment which can interfere with normal metabolic activities in organisms [1][2][3][4][5]. EHs are divided into two major heads namely, degradation-resistant organic halogens, which includes pesticides, industrial compounds, heavy metals, organic solvents, estrogens, and second category includes plant growth regulating agents [6,7].…”