Pesticides and hypospadias: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective To use meta-analytic techniques to synthesize the findings of the current body of published literature regarding the risk of hypospadias resulting from parental exposure to pesticides. Materials and methods A search of Pub Med for original research published in English from January 1966 through March 2008 identified 552 studies, 90 of which were reviewed in detail. Nine studies met all study inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently abstracted data from each included study. Any disagreements were resolved by consensus. Pooled risk ratios (PRRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using both random and fixed effects models, along with statistical tests of homogeneity. Results Elevated but marginally significant risks of hypospadias were associated with maternal occupational exposure (PRR of 1.36, CI = 1.04–1.77), and paternal occupational exposure (PRR of 1.19, CI = 1.00–1.41). Subgroup analyses provided insights into needed designs for future studies. Notably, exposure assessment using a job-exposure matrix resulted in slightly higher estimated risk than agricultural occupation in fathers; but this effect was reversed in mothers, suggesting the importance of indirect and residential pesticide exposures in this group. Conclusions Despite potential exposure misclassification, which would tend to diminish observed associations, the previous literature indicates a modestly increased risk of hypospadias associated with pesticide exposure.

Paternal occupational exposures and the risk of congenital malformations — A case-control study

“…This supports other studies that reported an association between agricultural work and/or exposure to pesticides experienced by the father, or the mother, or both; and different adverse reproductive effects such as congenital malformations in general [23][24][25], cleft lip and palate [26][27], musculoskeletal defects [28], limb reduction defects [29][30], and central nervous system defects [31][32][33]. Environmental or occupational exposure to pesticides may cause alterations in the male gametes prior to conception, as well as embryonic damage or feto-placental complex.…”

Widely Used Pesticides with Previously Unknown Endocrine Activity Revealed as in Vitro Antiandrogens

“…Furthermore, sons of mothers who directly handled treated plants or were engaged in spraying pesticides had significantly smaller penises than did sons of mothers who had non contact roles in the greenhouse industry (Andersen et al 2008). Last, in a recent meta-analysis of studies from the United States and Europe, Rocheleau et al (2009) reported that maternal occupational exposure to pesticides was associated with a 36% increased risk of hypospadias relative to the risk in mothers without exposure (risk ratio = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.04-1.77). The risk of developing cryptorchidism (Pierik et al 2004) and hypospadias (Brouwers et al 2007) was also associated with paternal exposures to pesticides, mainly in greenhouses for the production of vegetables and flowers.…”

“…There are also indications that reproductive abnormalities, expressed as cryptorchidism, hypospadias, and decreased penile length, may be linked to pesticide exposure, most strikingly in maternally exposed boys (Andersen et al 2008;Damgaard et al 2006;Rocheleau et al 2009). This is significant because male fertility is thought to be declining in many countries (Andersson et al 2008), and perinatal hypospadias/cryptorchidism are risk factors for reduced sperm quality and testicular cancer in adulthood (Skakkebaek et al 2001).…”

Hypospadias: Interactions between environment and genetics

“…No relationship was identified between polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) [127] or polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure [128] and hypospadias. A recent meta-analysis indicated only a modestly increased risk of hypospadias associated with pesticide exposure [129].…”