Female Workers Exposed to Traffic Pollutants and Plasma Follicle-stimulating Hormone

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine if occupational exposure to automobile exhaust can cause alterations in plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in female traffic police. After excluding the subjects with confounding factors, traffic police and controls were matched by age, lifestyle, menstrual cycle day, body mass index, alcohol intake, cigarette smoking habits, and habitual consumption of soy and Italian coffee. Subjects were studied on the seventh, 14th, and 21st days of the cycle. On the seventh day, FSH mean levels were significantly higher in traffic police versus controls. On the 14th and 21st days, FSH levels were not different in traffic police versus controls. The results suggest that occupational exposure to the pollutants in automobile exhaust can alter FSH plasma concentrations.