Reproductive Health Risks Associated with Occupational and Environmental Exposure to Pesticides

Abstract

A marked reduction in fertility and an increase in adverse reproductive outcomes during the last few decades have been associated with occupational and environmental chemical exposures. Exposure to different types of pesticides may increase the risks of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease, but also of reduced fertility and birth defects. Both occupational and environmental exposures to pesticides are important, as many are endocrine disruptors, which means that even very low-dose exposure levels may have measurable biological effects. The aim of this review was to summarize the knowledge collected between 2000 and 2020, to highlight new findings, and to further interpret the mechanisms that may associate pesticides with infertility, abnormal sexual maturation, and pregnancy complications associated with occupational, environmental and transplacental exposures. A summary of current pesticide production and usage legislation is also included in order to elucidate the potential impact on exposure profile differences between countries, which may inform prevention measures. Recommendations for the medical surveillance of occupationally exposed populations, which should be facilitated by the biomonitoring of reduced fertility, is also discussed.

Pterostilbene Alleviates Chlorpyrifos-Induced Damage During Porcine Oocyte Maturation

“…And, PTS was also proven to effectively protect oocyte maturation against CPF-mediated defects (Figure 7). Nowadays, the usage of OP insecticides remains worldwide and leads to the serious environmental problem (Fucic et al, 2021). Previous studies have shown that OP insecticides can make the loss of cell function and cause the defects to cells, and CPF could exert the detrimental effects to the reproductive system and the toxicology to oocytes (Nishi and Hundal, 2013;Li et al, 2015;Jiang et al, 2021).…”

“…Reproductive toxicity is considered as a most common pathological cause of mammalian infertility (Mourikes and Flaws, 2021). It has been reported that with the wide use of pesticides in the control of agriculture and residential pests, organophosphate (OP) insecticides, a largest and most diverse group, cause the adverse effects on the reproductive system of consumers (Fucic et al, 2021). An increasing number of reports has demonstrated that OP insecticides destroy the functions of ovary and testis, and increase the risk of infertility (Nishi and Hundal, 2013;Abdel-Razik et al, 2021;Ubaid Ur Rahman et al, 2021).…”

The changing tide of human fertility

“…Furthermore, it should also be acknowledged that such chemical pollutants do not just impact male reproduction. They are also thought to be responsible for a wide variety of reproductive problems in women, from impaired endometrial receptivity and failed embryo implantation to abnormalities of sexual development, complications of pregnancy and birth defects ( Caserta et al , 2021 ; Fucic et al 2021 ).…”

Differences in Knowledge, Awareness, Practice, and Health Symptoms in Farmers Who Applied Organophosphates and Pyrethroids on Farms

“…As regards chronic health effects, the evidence is inconsistent, and the mechanisms involved are unclear (7,8). In several human studies, pesticides have been shown to be related to chronic adverse effects on the immune, neurological, respiratory, endocrine, and reproductive systems (7,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). Symptoms indicating neurobehavioral, motor, and sensory dysfunction, have been reviewed in some symptom prevalence studies (11,(17)(18)(19).…”