Investigation on sperm concentration of workers occupationally exposed to pyrethroids

  Objective  To investigate the correlation between occupational pyrethroid exposure and oxidative stress status and sperm in workers, so as to provide a scientific basis for formulating diagnostic criteria of male reproductive damage caused by occupational pyrethroid exposure.

  Methods  From September to October 2020, 234 adult male workers and 117 adult male administrative and logistics personnel (as the control group) in a pyrethroid pesticide factory in Wuhan were studied. The sperm was measured after 3 days of abstinence. Concentration of exposed chemicals at workplaces in the factory was measured.

  Results  The occupationally exposed chemicals were deltamethrin, cypermethrin, beta cypermethrin and cis cypermethrin. The urinary of 3 -PBA and 8 -OHdG of the exposed workers was higher than that in the control group, while the of sperm was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Pearson correlation test showed that the of 3-PBA in 351 subjects was positively correlated with the of 8-OHdG(r=0.511, P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with the of sperm(r=- 0.546, P < 0.01); the of 8-OHdG was negatively correlated with sperm (r=-0.113, P < 0.05). The results of linear regression model analysis showed that with every 1 μg/g increasing in urine 3 -PBA (converted by natural logarithm), 8-OHdG increased by 7.362 μg/g and sperm decreased by 0.136 × 10⁸ /mL; when BMI increased by 1 kg/m², 8 -OHdG increased by 0.430 μg/g and sperm decreased by 0.014 × 10⁸/mL. No dose effect relationship was observed among age, smoking, drinking and 8 -OHdG or sperm.

  Conclusions  Occupational pyrethroid exposure may induced the increment of oxidative stress level and reduction of sperm. The occupational work on protection of workers should be strengthened.