The effect of environmental exposure to pyrethroids and DNA damage in human sperm

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate whether environmental exposure to pyrethroids was associated with sperm DNA damage. Between January 2008 and April 2011 286 men under 45 years of age with a normal sperm concentration of 15-300 10(6)/ml [WHO 2010] were recruited from an infertility clinic in Lodz, Poland. Participants were interviewed and provided urine, saliva, and semen samples. The pyrethroids metabolites: 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3PBA), cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (CDCCA), trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (TDCCA), and cis-2,2-dibromovinyl-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-carboxylic acid (DBCA) were analyzed in the urine using a validated gas chromatography ion-tap mass spectrometry method. Sperm DNA damage was assessed using a flow cytometry based on sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). A positive association was observed between CDCCA >50th percentile and the percentage of medium DNA fragmentation index (M DFI) and percentage of immature sperms (HDS) (p = 0.04, p = 0.04 respectively). The level of 3PBA >50th percentile in urine was positively related to the percentage of high DNA fragmentation index (H DFI) (p = 0.03). The TDCCA, DBCA levels, and the sum of pyrethroid metabolites were not associated with any sperm DNA damage measures. Our results suggest that environmental pyrethroid exposure may affect sperm DNA damage measures index indicated the reproductive effects of pyrethroid exposure on adult men. In view of the importance of human reproductive health and the widespread usage of pyrethroids, it is important to further investigate these correlations.

Chemical Pesticides and Human Health: The Urgent Need for a New Concept in Agriculture

“…However, there is evidence for their ability to display endocrine-disrupting activity ( 10 , 113 – 115 ), and to affect reproductive parameters in experimental animals including reproductive behavior ( 114 , 116 ). Furthermore, a recent study related more than one pyrethroid metabolite to DNA damages in human sperm, raising concerns about possible negative effects on human reproductive health ( 117 ). It should also be mentioned that there are also concerns about their possible ability to display developmental neurotoxicity ( 25 , 118 , 119 ).…”

Sperm DNA fragmentation valued by SCSA and its correlation with conventional sperm parameters in male partner of recurrent spontaneous abortion couple

“…By using SCSA, we can evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and detect spermatozoa with abnormal sperm chromatin structure consisting of abnormal nuclear proteins which is described as high DNA stainability (HDS). We performed SCSA by using a commercial kit produced by Zhejiang Xingbo Biological Technology Company according to standard procedure (20,22,23). The sperm count (× 10 6 /mL) was adjusted with buffer A (comprised of Tris-HCL, NaCl, EDTA) in the kit according to the requirements for SCSA.…”

Farmworker and nonfarmworker Latino immigrant men in North Carolina have high levels of specific pesticide urinary metabolites

“…The long term effects of large and small doses of these pesticides include increased risk of cancer and neurodegenerative disease. Pyrethroid insecticides are replacing OP insecticides for many agricultural and residential purposes, but a growing body of literature indicates that they can increase risk for pulmonary 2 and reproductive 3 health problems, although these findings remain controversial. 4 …”