Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- . Abolfazl Ghafouri‑Khosrowshahi 1
- . Akram Ranjbar 2
- . Leila Mousavi 3
- . Hossein Nili‑Ahmadabadi 4
- . Fatemeh Ghaffari 2
- . Hamed Zeinvand‑Lorestani 5
- . Amir Nili‑Ahmadabadi 2
1 Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Departments of Medicinal Chemistry
2 Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences
3 Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan
4 Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj
5 ,Toxicology and Poisoning Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Organophosphate compounds (OPCs) are suspected to make changes in
reproductive function by oxidant/antioxidant balance disruption in the brain, consequently impairing
hypothalamic, pituitary endocrine functions, and gonadal processes. The aim of this study was to
investigate the effects of occupational exposure to OPCs on the reproductive system of farm workers,
in Hamadan, Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative study was conducted in rural farmers and urban men
aged 20–40 years. After sampling and analysis of semen quality parameters (such as sperm count,
sperm motility, progressive sperm motility, and sperm morphology), serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)
activity (a specific biomarker in OPCs exposure), as well as total antioxidant capacity, nitric oxide,
and lipid peroxidation levels for both semen and serum samples were determined. In addition, serum
samples were analyzed for reproductive hormones, including follicle‑stimulating hormone, luteinizing
hormone (LH), and testosterone.
Results: Our findings showed that the number of sperms (P = 0.04), their motility (P < 0.001), and
progressive status (P < 0.001) in rural farmers were significantly lower than the urban population. In
addition, a significant decrease was observed in BChE activity (P < 0.001) and LH level (P < 0.001),
and also a remarkable increase was found in testosterone level (P = 0.0014) in the serum of rural
farmers compared to the urban population. Along with a decrease in semen total antioxidant
capacity, a positive significant correlation was found between sperm motility and semen antioxidant
capacity (r = 0.45; P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Exposure to OPCs may affect reproductive outcomes through impairing hypothalamic
and/or pituitary endocrine dysfunctions and gonadal processes in farmers.
Keywords
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