Effect of endosulfan on male reproductive development - Children's Health

Environmental Health Perspectives, Dec, 2003 by Habibullah Saiyed, Aruna Dewan, Vijay Bhatnagar, Udyavar Shenoy, Rathika Shenoy, Hirehall Rajmohan, Kumud Patel, Rekha Kashyap, Pradip Kulkarni, Bagalur Rajan, Bhadabhai Lakkad

Our study results suggest that endosulfan exposure may delay sexual maturity and interfere with hormone synthesis in male children. To validate these findings, a study with larger sample size is essential. We do not know the significance of these findings. Long-term follow-up of the children is essential to understand the implications.

Table 1. Comparison of the mean ([  or -] SD) age and
some of the growth-related basic parameters in
study and control subjects participating in the SMR
examination.

Parameters           Control (n = 90)       Study (n = 117)

Age (years)        13.10 [  or -] 2.12    12.80 [  or -] 2.07
Height (cm)          141 [  or -] 10.60     139 [  or -] 13.30
Weight (kg)        30.70 [  or -] 7.44    29.50 [  or -] 8.93
Body mass index    15.30 [  or -] 1.98    15.00 [  or -] 2.11
Skin-fold
  thickness (mm)    7.31 [  or -] 2.15     7.40 [  or -] 2.28

Table 2. Summary of the multiple regression analysis
of parameters of SMR against age and history of
exposure to endosulfan through aerial spray.

Dependent                   Intercept
variable       [R.sup.2]   ([b.sub.0])

SMR score
  Pubic hair    0.48 **     -2.54 **
  Testes        0.43 **     -2.07 **
  Penis         0.43 **     -2.00 **

                     Age               AEE

Dependent
variable       [b.sub.1]    SE    [b.sub.2]    SE

SMR score
  Pubic hair    0.36 **    0.03   -0.43 **    0.11
  Testes        0.32 **    0.03   -0.32 *     0.11
  Penis         0.32 **    0.03   -0.37 *     0.12

No. of observations: study = 117; control = 90.

* p < 0.01. ** p < 0.001.

Table 3. Summary of the multiple regression analysis for serum
testosterone levels against age, history of AEE, and serum LH levels.

                   Age             Exposure            LH

Dependent
variable          b       SE       b        SE       b       SE

Testosterone   0.37 **   0.06   -0.62 **   0.21   1.09 **   0.20

No. of observations: study = 67; control = 46.
Overall [R.sup.2] = 0.61. ** p < 0.001.

Table 4. Mean [  or -] SE levels (ppb) of serum endosulfan
in study and control subjects.

                     Controll (n = 45)       Study (n = 70)

[alpha]-Endosulfan   0.87 [  or -] 0.23   4.24 [  or -] 0.74 **
[beta]-Endosulfan    0.40 [  or -] 0.17   1.77 [  or -] 0.36 **
Endosulfan sulfate   0.10 [  or -] 0.08   1.47 [  or -] 0.33 **
Total endosulfan     1.37 [  or -] 0.40   7.47 [  or -] 1.19 **

** p < 0.001.

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