1
|
Moschetti K, Brunner L, Abderhalden-Zellweger A, Probst I, Renteria SC, Vonlanthen J, Krief P. Predictors of the return to work for pregnant employees on preventive leave: Patients from an occupational medicine consultation in Switzerland. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300686. [PMID: 38517845 PMCID: PMC10959330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
According to the Swiss legislation on maternity protection in the workplace (OProMa), if pregnant workers are exposed to occupational hazards and no protective measures are taken, a gynecologist will prescribe a certificate of preventive leave and the women must stop working. Returning to work is only possible if job adjustments are made. This study aims to evaluate the burden of absences on companies and to examine the predictors of the return to work for pregnant workers on preventive leave, by examining both the probability of return to work and the time required to return to work. The study sample includes data on 258 workplaces of pregnant workers on preventive leave, collected during an occupational medicine consultation aimed at supporting the implementation of the OProMa. Information is available on the worker (age, date of consultation), the hazards to which she is exposed, the company's knowledge of the OProMa and whether a risk analysis exists. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis are carried out. In 58% of the workplaces, it was not possible to return to work before the end of the pregnancy. This corresponds to an average absence of 4.5 months. In 42% of the workplaces, a return to work was possible thanks to workplace adaptations. A conforming risk analysis and a full knowledge of the OProMa for companies, and an early visit to the occupational medicine consultation for workers are good predictors of the likelihood of returning to work. Younger age and exposure to certain types of risks are factors that influence the duration of preventive leave. The implementation of OProMa in Switzerland poses serious challenges, but early identification of occupational hazards and practices that anticipate compliance with the law in the company increase the return to work in safety for pregnant workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Moschetti
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems (DESS), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Loïc Brunner
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems (DESS), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alessia Abderhalden-Zellweger
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Department of Health, Work and Environment (DSTE), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- School of Health Sciences (HESAV), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Probst
- School of Health Sciences (HESAV), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Saira-Christine Renteria
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julien Vonlanthen
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Department of Health, Work and Environment (DSTE), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Peggy Krief
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Department of Health, Work and Environment (DSTE), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yan T, Wang M, Yang S, Wang Y, Zhou X, Zhu X, Ma W, Tang S, Li J. Prevalence of insulin resistance in Chinese solar greenhouse and field workers: evidence from a solar greenhouse and field workers study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1257183. [PMID: 37693717 PMCID: PMC10485250 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1257183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence suggests that agricultural workers are at higher risk of insulin resistance (IR), but few studies have investigated IR in solar greenhouse workers, who are exposed to higher concentrations of agricultural risk factors than traditional agricultural workers. A prevalence study was conducted in a greenhouse vegetable farm in China. In total, 948 participants were enrolled in this study. Among them, 721 participants were allocated to the greenhouse worker group (G group), and 227 participants were assigned to the field worker group (F group). The TyG index, which is an indicator to evaluate prediabetes (IR), was calculated by the formula: TyG index = ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL)/2]. To evaluate the associations of TyG index alternation with solar greenhouse and field work, multiple linear regression (MLR) and logistic regression models were performed. The TyG index in the G group (8.53 ± 0.56) was higher than that in the F group (8.44 ± 0.59) (p < 0.05). Solar greenhouse work was positively associated with an increased TyG index in both the multiple linear regression model [β = 0.207, (0.006, 0.408)] and the logistic regression model [OR = 1.469, (1.070, 2.016)]. IR was associated with the solar greenhouse work. However, the determination of agricultural hazard factors needs to be further strengthened to improve exposure assessment. Graphical Abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tenglong Yan
- Beijing Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Beijing, China
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Neurology, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Siwen Yang
- National Center for Occupational Safety and Health, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqian Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xingfan Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhu
- National Center for Occupational Safety and Health, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjun Ma
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shichuan Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jue Li
- Beijing Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yan T, Yang S, Zhou X, Zhang C, Zhu X, Ma W, Tang S, Li J. Neurologic symptoms among solar greenhouse workers and field workers in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:31916-31922. [PMID: 36459314 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24412-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
It has been widely reported that the farmers were at increased risk of neurologic disorders, which probably be related with agricultural risk factors. The intensity of agricultural risk factors was rather high in the solar greenhouse than those in the agricultural farm, while the risk and prevalence of neurologic symptoms among solar greenhouse workers are unclear, which may provide evidence of neurologic dysfunction before clinically measurable signs are evident. This study aimed to evaluate the association among solar greenhouse working, field working, and neurologic symptoms. A cross-sectional study was conducted in China, and 986 Chinese Han population consisting 711 solar greenhouse workers (greenhouse worker group) and 275 field farmers (field worker group) were included. Participants provided information on demographic information, number of solar greenhouses owned (only solar greenhouse workers), working lifetime, and neurologic symptoms through an established questionnaire Q16 to assess the impact of occupational exposure to neurotoxicants, and the total scores were calculated. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the association among solar greenhouse working, field working, and neurologic symptoms. The total scales of the neurologic symptoms were higher in the solar greenhouse worker group (20.29 ± 4.79) than those in the field worker group (19.44 ± 4.22) (p < 0.05). Multivariate multiple linear regression showed that solar greenhouse working was positively associated with the scales of the neurologic symptoms (β = 0.248, 95% CI: (0.112, 0.383)). And the age, working lifetime, and current smoking were also positively associated with the scores of the neurologic symptoms, β = 0.007, 0.006 and 0.485 respectively (All p < 0.05). Solar greenhouse workers probably be at an increased risk of neurologic symptoms scores, and the age, working lifetime, and current smoking were also risk factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tenglong Yan
- Beijing Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Siwen Yang
- National Center for Occupational Safety and Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 102308, China
| | - Xingfan Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100054, China
| | - Chuyi Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100054, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhu
- National Center for Occupational Safety and Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 102308, China.
| | - Wenjun Ma
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shichuan Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100054, China
| | - Jue Li
- Beijing Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Beijing, 100093, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wu Y, Weng X, Liu S, Tan Y, Liang H, Li Y, Wen L, Chen Q, Jing C. Associations of single and multiple organophosphate pesticide exposure with female infertility in the USA: data from the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:23411-23421. [PMID: 36322354 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23624-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Substantial evidence has shown that organophosphate pesticide (OPP) exposure altered the reproductive system functions, such as prolonged menstrual cycles, sexual hormone imbalance, and changes in ovarian weight. However, the association of OPP exposure with female infertility is unclear. We explored the relationships of four single OPP metabolites and their mixed exposure with self-reported infertility among women aged 20-50 in the USA using the data from two cycles (2015-2016 and 2017-2018) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) by multiple logistic regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and quantile g-computation (QGC). Eventually, 659 females were included in our study. Among these females, 77 participants were ever infertile. Multiple logistic regression showed that the odds ratios (ORs) in the second and third tertiles of dimethylphosphate (DMP) for female infertility were 2.53 (95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.20-5.32, P value = 0.016) and 2.96 (95%CI: 1.18-7.47, P value = 0.023) compared to the lowest tertile after adjusting for all covariates (P for trend = 0.022). A significantly positive association between the mixed OPP metabolites and infertility was observed in the BKMR model, in which DMP had the highest posterior inclusion probability (PIP = 0.741). The QGC model showed similar results, in which OPP metabolite mixtures increased the risk of female infertility, with DMP as a significantly positive contributor to the outcome. This study revealed the potential harm of OPP mixtures for female infertility in the USA, and DMP played the most critical role in female infertility risk among all OPP metabolites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Wu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueqiong Weng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuxuan Tan
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Huanzhu Liang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yexin Li
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Wen
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunxia Jing
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China.
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Huang J, Hu L, Yang J. Dietary zinc intake and body mass index as modifiers of the association between household pesticide exposure and infertility among US women: a population-level study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:20327-20336. [PMID: 36251185 PMCID: PMC9574790 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23629-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Clinical studies on the relationship between pesticide exposure at home and infertility in the general population are scarce. Whether the antioxidant nutrients or other health-related factors affect the pesticide-infertility relationship remains unknown. This nationwide study screened 29,400 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted between 2013 and 2018. The participants were subdivided according to dietary zinc intake based on the recommended dietary allowances as the low-zinc and high-zinc groups (< 8 and ≥ 8 mg/day, respectively), and according to body mass index (BMI; cut-off 28 kg/m2) as the low-BMI and high-BMI groups. Participants who were exposed to pesticides at home had an increased risk of infertility (odds ratio [OR] = 1.56, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.06-2.29). The incidence of infertility differed in low-zinc and high-zinc groups (OR, 95% CI: 2.38, 1.40-4.06 vs. 0.98, 0.53-1.79, respectively), indicating an interaction between pesticide exposure and zinc intake in households (P = 0.047), which suggests that a zinc-rich diet may reduce the risk of pesticide-induced infertility. Similarly, the relationship between pesticide exposure and infertility risk differed in the low-BMI and high-BMI groups (OR, 95% CI: 0.90, 0.42-1.93 vs. 2.23, 1.39-3.58, respectively; P = 0.045), suggesting that high BMI may intensify the infertility risk caused by pesticide exposure. These new findings reveal the antagonistic and synergistic effect of zinc and obesity, respectively, in pesticide-induced infertility risk and suggest that individuals who are obese and on a low-zinc diet may be more susceptible to infertility induced by household pesticide exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jungao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Disease-Related Gene, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Xi’an, 710061 China
- Ganzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Jiangxi Province, Ganzhou, 341000 China
| | - Liqin Hu
- Ganzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Jiangxi Province, Ganzhou, 341000 China
| | - Juan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Disease-Related Gene, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Xi’an, 710061 China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Landeros N, Duk S, Márquez C, Inzunza B, Acuña-Rodríguez IS, Zúñiga-Venegas LA. Genotoxicity and Reproductive Risk in Workers Exposed to Pesticides in Rural Areas of Curicó, Chile: A Pilot Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16608. [PMID: 36554491 PMCID: PMC9779056 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Significant risks to human health have been associated with chronic exposure to low doses of pesticides, a situation which may be frequent among agricultural workers. In this context, and regarding the agricultural-based economy of central Chile, we aimed to explore the genotoxic damage in agricultural workers and reproductive risk among women in rural and urban areas of Curicó, a traditional agricultural district in Chile. Hence, we sampled a group of rural agricultural workers associated with pesticide management (n = 30) and an urban unexposed group (n = 30). Our results showed that the agricultural workers had higher micronuclei frequencies (MN: β = 13.27; 95% CI low = 11.08, CI high = 15.47) and women had a 40-fold higher risk of reproductive problems (OR = 40.32; 95% CI low = 2.60, CI high = 624.31) than the unexposed group. The factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD) showed that neither the sex nor smoking habits appear to define the ordination of the data. Nevertheless, the exposure level did segregate them in the multidimensional space (explained variance: 35.38% dim-1; 18.63% dim-2). This pilot study highlights the higher risks of biological conditions negatively associated with the health of agricultural workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Landeros
- Centro Oncológico, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Católica del Maule, Talca 3466706, Chile
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Biomédicas (LIB), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Católica del Maule, Talca 3466706, Chile
| | - Soledad Duk
- Laboratorio de Citogenética y Genética Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4070386, Chile
| | - Carolina Márquez
- Laboratorio de Citogenética y Genética Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4070386, Chile
| | - Bárbara Inzunza
- Laboratorio de Citogenética y Genética Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4070386, Chile
| | - Ian S. Acuña-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Interdisciplinarias (I), Universidad de Talca, Talca 3465548, Chile
| | - Liliana A. Zúñiga-Venegas
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Biomédicas (LIB), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Católica del Maule, Talca 3466706, Chile
- Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule (CIEAM), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3466706, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bliznashka L, Roy A, Jaacks LM. Pesticide exposure and child growth in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114230. [PMID: 36087771 PMCID: PMC7614514 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), pesticides are widely used in agricultural and residential settings. Little is known about how pesticides affect child growth. OBJECTIVES To systematically review and synthesise the evidence on the associations between pesticide exposure and adverse birth outcomes and/or impaired postnatal growth in children up to 5 years of age in LMICs. METHODS We searched 10 databases from inception through November 2021. We included cohort and cross-sectional studies investigating associations between self-reported or measured prenatal or postnatal pesticide exposure and child growth (postnatal child linear/ponderal growth, and/or birth outcomes). Two researchers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed certainty using GRADE. The protocol was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42021292919). RESULTS Of 939 records retrieved, 31 studies met inclusion criteria (11 cohort, 20 cross-sectional). All studies assessed prenatal exposure. Twenty-four studies reported on birth weight. Four found positive associations with organochlorines (0.01-0.25 standardised mean difference (SMD)) and two found negative associations (-0.009 SMD to -55 g). Negative associations with organophosphates (-170 g, n = 1) and pyrethroids (-97 to -233 g, n = 2) were also documented. Two (out of 15) studies reporting on birth length found positive associations with organochlorines (0.21-0.25 SMD) and one found negative associations (-0.25 to -0.32 SMD). Organophosphate exposure was negatively associated with birth length (-0.37 cm, n = 1). Organophosphate exposure was also associated with higher risk/prevalence of low birth weight (2 out of nine studies) and preterm birth (2 out of six studies). Certainty of the evidence was "very low" for all outcomes. CONCLUSION The limited literature from LMICs shows inconclusive associations between prenatal pesticide exposure, child growth, and birth outcomes. Studies with accurate quantitative data on exposure to commonly used pesticides in LMICs using consistent methodologies in comparable populations are needed to better understand how pesticides influence child growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Bliznashka
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Robertson Building, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Aditi Roy
- Centre for Environmental Health, Public Health Foundation of India, Plot No. 47, Sector 44, Institutional Area Gurugram, 122002, India
| | - Lindsay M Jaacks
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Robertson Building, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Krasic J, Fucic A, Sincic N, Sindicic Dessardo N, Starcevic M, Guszak V, Ceppi M, Bruzzone M, Kralik S. Comparison of Estradiol, Testostosterone, and CYP19 Methylation Levels between Full-Term and Preterm Newborns. Horm Res Paediatr 2022; 94:168-175. [PMID: 34348285 DOI: 10.1159/000518112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Estradiol (E), testosterone (T), and their ratio are crucial axis in life. Especially during intrauterine growth, they orchestrate the complex development of organs and their interaction, which have lifelong impact on health and an organism's capacity to respond to environmental stressors. The aim of this study was to compare for the first time E, T, and their ratio levels with aromatase (CYP19) gene methylation levels between preterm newborns (PN) and full-term newborns (FN) with respect to their mother's environmental exposure and diet. In this study, 56 FN of 37-42 weeks of gestation age (GA) and 46 PN at GA 27-36 weeks were analysed for E and T levels and CYP19A1 gene pI.3/II promoter region methylation. Results showed there was no difference in E levels between PN and FN, but there were significantly lower levels of T in PN than in FN (2.81 nmol vs. 3.76 nmol, respectively) and consequently a significantly higher E/T ratio in PN than in FN (5278.04 vs. 2891.23, respectively). CYP19A1 methylation was significantly lower in PN than in FN (86.04% vs. 90.04%, respectively). CYP19A1 methylation was significantly reduced in newborns whose mothers reported daily milk consumption. Our study is the first to provide referent values for CYP19A1 methylation levels in FN and PN and shows that PN and FN significantly differ in CYP19A1 methylation levels, T levels, and E/T ratio. Future research should further investigate the mechanisms involved in GA-dependent CYP19A1 methylation levels and mechanisms of sex hormone disturbances which may contribute to preterm birth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jure Krasic
- Medical School, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine (CERRM), Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Aleksandra Fucic
- Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine (CERRM), Zagreb, Croatia.,Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nino Sincic
- Medical School, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine (CERRM), Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nada Sindicic Dessardo
- Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine (CERRM), Zagreb, Croatia.,University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mirta Starcevic
- Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine (CERRM), Zagreb, Croatia.,University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vedrana Guszak
- Scientific Center of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine (CERRM), Zagreb, Croatia.,University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marcello Ceppi
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Bruzzone
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Sasa Kralik
- University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Fucic A, Duca RC, Galea KS, Maric T, Garcia K, Bloom MS, Andersen HR, Vena JE. Reproductive Health Risks Associated with Occupational and Environmental Exposure to Pesticides. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18126576. [PMID: 34207279 PMCID: PMC8296378 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Fucic
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-15682500; Fax: +3814673303
| | - Radu C. Duca
- Unit Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Department of Health Protection, National Health Laboratory, L-3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg;
- Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karen S. Galea
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK;
| | - Tihana Maric
- Medical School, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Kelly Garcia
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA; (K.G.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Michael S. Bloom
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA; (K.G.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Helle R. Andersen
- Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark;
| | - John E. Vena
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
| |
Collapse
|