Exposure to pyrethroid pesticides and ovarian reserve

Synthetic pyretroids are among the most common pesticides currently used worldwide. Animal studies suggest that exposure to pyrethroids could dysregulated the function of the ovary, mainly follicular development and/or synthesis of the reproductive hormone. Nevertheless data regarding the effect of exposure on female ovarian function is limited. So the aim of the present study is to assess the effect of exposure to synthetic pyrethroids on ovarian reserve.

The study population consists of 511 females aged 25-39 years attending infertility clinics for diagnostic purposes, because of couples' infertility. Validated gas chromatography ion-tap mass spectrometry method was used to assess the urinary concentrations of pyrethroid metabolites (CDDCA (cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid), TDDCA (trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid), 3PBA (3-phenoxybenzoic acid) and DBCA (cis-2,2-dibromovinyl-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid)). Ovarian reserve was assessed using parameters of ovarian reserve (antral follicle count and concentrations of hormones: AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone), FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and E₂ (estradiol)).

In the present analysis the association was found between urinary concentrations of 3-PBA and levels of AMH (p = 0.03), FSH (p = 0.04) and antral follicle count (p = 0.02). Urinary level of CDCCA, TDCCA and DBCA was not associated with any examined parameters of ovarian reserve.

Synthetic pyrethroids may affect female ovarian reserve. As this is the first, preliminary study the results need confirmation in a further detailed investigations.