Self-reported pesticide exposure and male reproductive development among boys in rural Western Cape, South Africa
1
Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Epidemiology, Swiss TPH, Basel, Switzerland
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A360
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Epidemiological evidence on the association between endocrine-disrupting current-use pesticides and male reproductive health is limited and inconsistent. This study investigated associations between self-reported pesticide exposures and reproductive development among adolescent boys in rural Western Cape in South Africa.
METHODS:
As part of the Child Health Agricultural Pesticide Cohort Study (CapSA), conducted in three agriculturally intense areas, 372 school boys aged 9–15 years were followed for 24 months. Questionnaires included exposure data (farm work, take-home exposure, consumption of field crops, observation of spraying, and contact with contaminated surface water) and sociodemographic factors. Outcomes included testicular volume, Tanner staging (pubic hair and genital development), and serum levels of testosterone, oestradiol, luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Linear and mixed-effects regression models adjusted for confounders assessed associations cross-sectionally and longitudinally.
RESULTS:
Median age was 11 years (IQR 10–12) at baseline and 12 years (IQR 11–13) at follow-up. Farm residence was reported by ~45% at baseline and ~42% at follow-up; 66% of households included farm workers, and 52% of boys engaged in occupational farm tasks. Notable pubertal progression over the follow-up period included an 8 mL increase in combined testicular volume (95% CI 0–40) and calculated free testosterone increase of 1.4 (IQR:1.0-11.1). Associations between self-reported exposures and changes in outcomes between baseline and follow-up were inconsistent and largely statistically nonsignificant.
CONCLUSIONS:
In this study conducted among adolescent boys in pesticide-intensive Western Cape areas, self-reported pesticide exposure factors are not correlated with reproductive outcomes in adolescent boys. To confirm the absence of detrimental effects, larger, longitudinal studies incorporating repeated pesticide biomarkers and sensitive outcomes are recommended. Interventions to reduce pesticide exposure in rural communities are required.
Epidemiological evidence on the association between endocrine-disrupting current-use pesticides and male reproductive health is limited and inconsistent. This study investigated associations between self-reported pesticide exposures and reproductive development among adolescent boys in rural Western Cape in South Africa.
METHODS:
As part of the Child Health Agricultural Pesticide Cohort Study (CapSA), conducted in three agriculturally intense areas, 372 school boys aged 9–15 years were followed for 24 months. Questionnaires included exposure data (farm work, take-home exposure, consumption of field crops, observation of spraying, and contact with contaminated surface water) and sociodemographic factors. Outcomes included testicular volume, Tanner staging (pubic hair and genital development), and serum levels of testosterone, oestradiol, luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Linear and mixed-effects regression models adjusted for confounders assessed associations cross-sectionally and longitudinally.
RESULTS:
Median age was 11 years (IQR 10–12) at baseline and 12 years (IQR 11–13) at follow-up. Farm residence was reported by ~45% at baseline and ~42% at follow-up; 66% of households included farm workers, and 52% of boys engaged in occupational farm tasks. Notable pubertal progression over the follow-up period included an 8 mL increase in combined testicular volume (95% CI 0–40) and calculated free testosterone increase of 1.4 (IQR:1.0-11.1). Associations between self-reported exposures and changes in outcomes between baseline and follow-up were inconsistent and largely statistically nonsignificant.
CONCLUSIONS:
In this study conducted among adolescent boys in pesticide-intensive Western Cape areas, self-reported pesticide exposure factors are not correlated with reproductive outcomes in adolescent boys. To confirm the absence of detrimental effects, larger, longitudinal studies incorporating repeated pesticide biomarkers and sensitive outcomes are recommended. Interventions to reduce pesticide exposure in rural communities are required.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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