Serum gonadotropins and testosterone in men occupationally exposed to carbon disulfide

Serum levels of gonadotropins and testosterone were determined for 69 men exposed to CS2 in viscose rayon production and for 22 nonexposed male controls. Mean ages of the two groups were 40 and 39 yr, respectively. The duration of exposure to CS2 ranged from 1 to 36 yr (mean, 12.5). Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were significantly higher among the exposed men than among the controls (13.6 versus 10.0 IU/l). The level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) was significantly lower among the exposed men than among the controls (44 versus 53 nmol/l). Luteinizing hormone (LH) values were significantly higher among the 24-31 yr old exposed men than the controls of the same age. Levels of SHBG, of the free testosterone index, and of FSH and LH in men under 39 yr who had been exposed to CS2 for 1-9 yr differed significantly from those of their controls, whereas only FSH differed significantly among those exposed for 10 or more years in the same age group. In men aged 40 yr or more, after at least 10 yr of exposure, only FSH and LH were significantly higher than in the controls. Although the observed alterations do not seem to have any overt clinical implications for the study groups, they indicate that overall levels of CS2 that are well below the current Finnish threshold limit value (30 mg/m3) may affect the hormonal balance in the pituitary-gonadal axis, favoring the view that there may be an increased risk of latent primary gonadal insufficiency.