Sex-Specific Neurotoxic Effects of Organophosphate Pesticides Across the Life Course

Abstract

Purpose of Review This review discusses the sex-specific effects of exposure to various organophosphate (OP) pesticides throughout the life course and potential reasons for the differential vulnerabilities observed across sexes. Recent findings Sex is a crucial factor in the response to toxicants yet the sex-specific effects of OP exposure, particularly in juveniles and adults, remain unresolved. This is largely due to study design and inconsistencies in exposure and outcome assessments. Summary Exposure to OPs results in multiple adverse outcomes influenced by many factors including sex. Reported sex-specific effects suggest that males are more susceptible to OPs, which reflects the sex-dependent prevalence of various neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders such as autism and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in which males are at greater risk. Thus, this review proposes that the biological sex-specific effects elicited by OP exposure may in part underlie the dimorphic susceptibilities observed in neurological disorders. Understanding the immediate and long-term effects of OP exposure across sexes will be critical in advancing our understanding of OP-induced neurotoxicity and disease.

Species and Sex Differences in the Morphogenic Response of Primary Rodent Neurons to 3,3′-Dichlorobiphenyl (PCB 11)

“…An outstanding question is whether sex differences in the response of key neuronal cell populations to the developmental neurotoxicity of environmental risk factors contributes to the significant sex biases associated with many NDDs, including ASD and ADHD [ 43 , 44 , 80 , 81 , 82 ]. In support of this hypothesis, we observed that PCB 11 effects on dendritic arborization were sex-dependent in mouse neurons.…”

Sex Differences in Neurotoxicogenetics

“…The factors that determine the effects and characteristics of exposure make the outcomes highly variable even for the same organophosphate compound. These factors were defined by Comfort and Re (2017) as the type of species for the sample, age of individuals, neurological characteristics that will be assessed, areas of the brain, cell types, type of behavioral assay employed, the dose, route of administration, type of chemical compound, among others.…”

Organic Diet and Intermittent Fasting are Associated With Improved Erectile Function

“…[17][18][19] In contrast, organic diets limit exposure to pesticide and fertilizers − both of which are known contributors to adverse developmental and neurological disorders. [20][21][22] Even further, organic foods are reported to have higher nutritional value than conventional food wherein higher concentrations of vitamins and antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. [22][23][24] These advantages to intermittent fasting and organic diet may, therefore, not only improve overall health status and body habitus, but may also play a role in reducing related ED.…”

“…[20][21][22] Even further, organic foods are reported to have higher nutritional value than conventional food wherein higher concentrations of vitamins and antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. [22][23][24] These advantages to intermittent fasting and organic diet may, therefore, not only improve overall health status and body habitus, but may also play a role in reducing related ED. 25,26 We caution the conclusion that the reduction in ED observed in our cohort is due to these dietary modifications alone.…”