Abstract

Objectives: To assess the impact of pesticides on testicular and thyroid functions of farm workers in Gaza Strip. Methods: The study included 96 farm workers exposed to pesticides as well as 96 non-exposed controls from different Governorates of Gaza Strip. Farm workers and controls were age matched. Blood samples were collected from all farm workers and controls to assess testicular function through determination of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and to assess thyroid function through determination of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Results: Serum testosterone was significantly decreased in farm workers compared to controls whereas LH and FSH were increased in farm workers with significant change for LH. Serum TSH of farm workers was significantly higher than that of control s whereas T3 and T4 were significantly lower in farm workers. When related to age, significant decrease in testosterone, T3 and T4 as well as significant increase in LH, FSH and TSH were found only in farm workers of age group 31 - 45 years compared to the ir counterparts of controls. Regarding work duration, the longer the work duration of pesticides use, the higher percentage of decrease in testosterone and the higher percentage of increase in LH and TSH levels were observed. Conclusion: The results of the present study confirm that pesticides exposure affects farm workers testicular and thyroid functions through alterations with significant values in testosterone, LH, FSH, TSH, T3 and T4.