review · Frontiers in Endocrinology
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effects of organophosphate pesticide exposure on human semen quality and male reproductive hormones. Across studies analysing 766 men, comprising 349 exposed individuals and 417 unexposed controls, researchers assessed various semen and hormone parameters. Exposure showed no significant effect on ejaculate volume, seminal fluid volume, leukocyte levels, or sperm multiple anomaly index. Similarly, serum levels of reproductive hormones, specifically follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, and testosterone, showed no significant changes between groups. Exposure was associated with significant reductions in sperm concentration, normal morphology, total motility, and initial measures of sperm count and progressive motility. However, sensitivity and subtype analyses indicated that sperm count and progressive motility reductions were not sustained under adjusted evaluations. Overall, organophosphate exposure impairs multiple semen characteristics, likely operating through mechanisms independent of testosterone regulation.
Organophosphate pesticides are widely used in agricultural settings, raising concerns regarding their impact on male reproductive health. By synthesising existing clinical and epidemiological data, this analysis clarifies that while these chemicals do not noticeably alter core reproductive hormone levels, they impair key aspects of sperm quality. This information is vital for environmental health specialists, occupational safety planners, and public health authorities assessing chemical risks.
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Background: Organophosphate (OP) pesticides have been associated with a decline in semen quality, although there are still considerable arguments about the magnitude of the association. Objective: This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impacts of OP pesticides on semen quality and male reproductive hormones. Methods: This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocols. Strategic search was conducted using combined text words as search terms. The eligibility criteria were developed based on Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome, and Study designs (PECOS) framework. Relevant data were extracted, risk of bias was evaluated by The Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool, and certainty of evidence was assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group guidelines. Quantitative meta-analysis was performed by using Review Manager. Results: A total of 766 male subjects (349 exposed to OP pesticides and 417 unexposed controls) were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in the ejaculate volume, seminal fluid volume, sperm multiple anomaly index, sperm, and leukocytes levels of the OP-exposed subjects compared to the control. In addition, OP pesticides exposure did not significantly affect serum concentrations of FSH, LH, and testosterone in subjects who were exposed to OP pesticides compared to their unexposed counterparts. However, we found a significant reduction in the sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, total sperm motility, and normal sperm morphology of OP pesticides-exposed subjects compared to the unexposed subjects. However, after subtype and sensitivity analyses, exposure to OP pesticides did not reduce sperm count. Also, after sensitivity analysis, OP pesticides exposure did not alter progressive sperm motility. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that OP pesticides exposure reduced sperm count, concentration, total and progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology, possibly via a testosterone-independent mechanism.
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DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1227836
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