Environmental Health Perspectives

Abstract

Background: Few human studies have evaluated the impact of childhood exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCP) on pubertal development. Objective: To evaluate associations of serum OCP concentrations [hexachlorobenzene (HCB), β - hexachlorocyclohexane ( β -HCH), and p,p -dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene ( p,p ’-DDE)] with age at attainment of sexual maturity among boys. Methods: From 2003-2005, 350 8-9 year-old boys from Chapaevsk, Russia with measured OCPs were enrolled and followed annually for eight years. We used multivariable interval-censored models to evaluate associations of OCPs (quartiles) with three physician-assessed measures of sexual maturity: Tanner stage 5 for genitalia growth, Tanner stage 5 for pubic hair growth, or testicular volume (TV) ≥ 20 mL in either testis. Results: In adjusted models, boys with higher HCB concentrations achieved sexual maturity reflected by TV ≥ 20 mL a mean of 3.1 months (95% CI: -1.7, 7.8), 5.3 months (95% CI: 0.6, 10.1), and 5.0 months (95% CI: 0.2, 9.8) later for quartiles Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively compared to Q1 (trend p=0.04). Tanner stage 5 for genitalia growth was attained a mean of 2.2 months (95% CI: -3.1, 7.5), 5.7 months (95% CI: 0.4, 11.0), and 3.7 months (-1.7, 9.1) later for quartiles Q2, Q3, and Q4 respectively of β -HCH as compared to Q1 (trend p=0.09). Tanner stage 5 for pubic hair growth occurred 6-9 months later on average for boys in the highest vs. lowest quartile for HCB (trend p<0.001)