F E Glover1, F Del Giudice2, F Belladelli2, P B Ryan3, T Chen4, M L Eisenberg4, W M Caudle3. 1. Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. gloverfrank975@gmail.com. 2. Department of Maternal-Infant and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" Rome University, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy. 3. Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. 4. Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have investigated associations between herbicides such as 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and dyshormonogenesis, specifically low testosterone, in human, rodent, and cell models, but results have been conflicting and inconclusive. METHODS: Using data from a cross-sectional study of 456 adult men in the 2013-2014 NHANES survey cycle, we examined the relationship between urinary concentrations of 2,4-D and serum testosterone levels. RESULTS: Multivariable regression models adjusting for potential confounders revealed a significant, negative association between urinary 2,4-D and mean serum testosterone among U.S. adult males (β = - 11.4 ng/dL, p = 0.02). Multivariable logistic regression models using a cutoff defining abnormally low testosterone (i.e., serum testosterone < 300 ng/dL) revealed no significant associations between 2,4-D and the odds of low testosterone. CONCLUSION: These findings expand on previous literature implicating a role for 2,4-D in the etiology of low testosterone and dyshormonogenesis. Future studies are warranted to corroborate these findings, determine clinical significance, and to investigate the proposed potential biological mechanisms underlying this association.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have investigated associations between herbicides such as 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and dyshormonogenesis, specifically low testosterone, in human, rodent, and cell models, but results have been conflicting and inconclusive. METHODS: Using data from a cross-sectional study of 456 adult men in the 2013-2014 NHANES survey cycle, we examined the relationship between urinary concentrations of 2,4-D and serum testosterone levels. RESULTS: Multivariable regression models adjusting for potential confounders revealed a significant, negative association between urinary 2,4-D and mean serum testosterone among U.S. adult males (β = - 11.4 ng/dL, p = 0.02). Multivariable logistic regression models using a cutoff defining abnormally low testosterone (i.e., serum testosterone < 300 ng/dL) revealed no significant associations between 2,4-D and the odds of low testosterone. CONCLUSION: These findings expand on previous literature implicating a role for 2,4-D in the etiology of low testosterone and dyshormonogenesis. Future studies are warranted to corroborate these findings, determine clinical significance, and to investigate the proposed potential biological mechanisms underlying this association.
Authors: V F Garry; R E Tarone; I R Kirsch; J M Abdallah; D P Lombardi; L K Long; B L Burroughs; D B Barr; J S Kesner Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2001-05 Impact factor: 9.031