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Pesticide exposure and thyroid function in adult male sprayers
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Farzaneh Farokhi *   , Ali Taravati |
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Abstract: (9726 Views) |
| Pesticides are often used indiscriminately in a large amounts causing environmental pollution.
Pesticides cause adverse effects on different body systems, including hematological and endocrine
systems. Animal studies have shown the ability of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides to
disturb thyroid function, but evidence of such effects on human remains unclear.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between exposure to pesticide and serum
levels of thyroid hormones in pesticide sprayers.
Blood samples were obtained from 40 cases and 20 controls after overnight fasting. Glucose, urea, acid
uric and lipid profile were measured by enzymatic methods. Immunoassay methods were used for
determining of TSH, T3 and T4 levels.
The TSH level in sprayers (2.64±1.50 mIU/l, P=0.007) was significantly increased compared to control
subjects (1.33±0.83 μM). Significant decreased in T3 and insignificant decreased in T4 level of sprayers
were observed.
These results suggest that exposure to organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides may be
responsible for increasing TSH level and decreasing T3 and T4 serum hormone levels, therefore
supporting the hypothesis that organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides cause hypothyroidism in
pesticide sprayers. So administration of supplementary nutrients or improving defense system in these
peoples is advised. |
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| Keywords: organochlorine, organophosphate, thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism, pesticide sprayers |
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Full-Text [PDF 423 kb]
(4949 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
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