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Gaspari L, Tessier B, Paris F, Bergougnoux A, Hamamah S, Sultan C, Kalfa N. Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Disorders of Penile Development in Humans. Sex Dev 2021; 15:213-228. [PMID: 34438394 DOI: 10.1159/000517157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper reviews the current knowledge on the environmental effects on penile development in humans. The specific focus is on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), a heterogeneous group of natural or manmade substances that interfere with endocrine function, and whether they can induce hypospadias and micropenis in male neonates. Epidemiological data and animal observations first raised suspicions about environmental effects, leading to the testis dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) hypothesis. More recent research has provided stronger indications that TDS may indeed be the result of the direct or indirect effects of EDCs. Drawing on epidemiological and toxicological studies, we also report on the effects of maternal diet and substances like pesticides, phthalates, bisphenol A, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Proximity to contamination hazards and occupational exposure are also suspected to contribute to the occurrence of hypospadias and micropenis. Lastly, the cumulative effects of EDCs and the possibility of transgenerational effects, with the penile development of subsequent generations being affected, raise concerns for long-term public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gaspari
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital DEVGEN, Constitutif Sud, Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Unité d'Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, INSERM 1203, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Benoit Tessier
- Département de Chirurgie Viscérale et Urologique Pédiatrique, Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Institut Debrest de Santé Publique IDESP, UMR INSERM, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Françoise Paris
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital DEVGEN, Constitutif Sud, Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Unité d'Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, INSERM 1203, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Bergougnoux
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital DEVGEN, Constitutif Sud, Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, PhyMedExp, INSERM, CNRS UMR, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Samir Hamamah
- Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, INSERM 1203, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Département de Biologie de la Reproduction, Biologie de la Reproduction/DPI et CECOS, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Charles Sultan
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital DEVGEN, Constitutif Sud, Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Kalfa
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital DEVGEN, Constitutif Sud, Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Département de Chirurgie Viscérale et Urologique Pédiatrique, Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Institut Debrest de Santé Publique IDESP, UMR INSERM, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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A Management Protocol for Gonad Preservation in Patients with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2019; 32:605-611. [PMID: 31233832 PMCID: PMC6917890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Historically, individuals with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) were managed with removal of gonadal tissue at various ages to avert the risk of gonadal malignancy. Recently, clinical practice changed, with gonadectomy being postponed until late adolescence. Adolescents and adults with complete AIS have questioned this approach. Additionally, testicular germ cell tumors are increasingly believed to be quite rare with rates as low as 0% in molecularly confirmed individuals with AIS. Gonadectomy deprives patients of the benefits of their endogenous hormones and potential fertility. Furthermore, human rights organizations advocate for deferring irreversible surgery in conditions known as differences of sex development, which includes AIS, to allow patient autonomy in decision-making. Recent literature supports an approach that uses risk stratification to manage gonads in AIS. Herein we review what is known about malignancy risk in the different subtypes of AIS and propose a management protocol for gonad retention.
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Mazen IM, Mekkawy MK, Ibrahim HM, Kamel AK, Hamza RT, Elaidy AA. Clinical and Cytogenetic Study of Egyptian Patients with Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development. Sex Dev 2018; 12:211-217. [PMID: 30007989 DOI: 10.1159/000490840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Disorders of sex development (DSD) are conditions with an abnormal development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex. Sex chromosome DSD involve conditions associated with either numerical or structural abnormalities of the sex chromosomes. This study included patients comprising a wide spectrum of presenting features suggestive of DSD and aimed at studying the frequency of sex chromosome abnormalities among 108 Egyptian DSD patients who presented to the Clinical Genetics and Endocrinology Clinics, National Research Centre (NRC) over the 2-year period of 2013 and 2014. The age of the studied patients ranged from 2 months to 39 years. The patients exhibited various presentations, including ambiguous genitalia, undescended testis, hypogonadism, short stature with Turner manifestations, primary or secondary amenorrhea, primary infertility, edema of the dorsum of the hands and feet, and dysmorphic features. The patients were subjected to detailed clinical examination, pubertal staging, and cytogenetic analysis. Our study reported a wide karyotypic diversity and a high frequency of sex chromosome DSD, reaching 44.44% (48/108). In conclusion, we showed a high incidence of sex chromosome DSD among Egyptian DSD patients with wide karyotype/phenotype diversity. The most frequent sex chromosome DSD detected among patients of the present study was Turner syndrome and variants (52.08%; 25/48) followed by Klinefelter syndrome and variants (43.75%; 21/48). Further long term studies are necessary for accurate detection of frequencies of different types of sex chromosomal anomalies and associated phenotypes.
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Biochemical Analysis of Four Missense Mutations in the HSD17B3 Gene Associated With 46,XY Disorders of Sex Development in Egyptian Patients. J Sex Med 2017; 14:1165-1174. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Mazen IA. Clinical Management of Gender in Egypt: Intersexuality and Transsexualism. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2017; 46:369-372. [PMID: 27649696 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-016-0842-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This article reviews the literature on intersexuality (disorders of sex development [DSD]) and transsexuality in Egypt. Egypt's resources for the diagnosis and treatment of rare conditions, such as DSD and transsexualism, are quite limited. The birth of a child with a DSD is likely to be stressful, especially in regard to decisions on gender assignment, and genital abnormalities are associated with stigma and shame. Gender assignment may be biased toward the male gender, because female infertility precludes marriage and female gender adversely affects employment prospects and inheritance. Later gender change in either direction may also carry stigma. Gender reassignment surgery for transsexuals without somatic intersexuality was legalized in Egypt in 2005, but requires permission by a national Sex Identification and Determination Committee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inas A Mazen
- Human Genetic and Genome Division, Department of Clinical Genetics, National Research Center, El Bohouth St., Dokki, Guiza, Egypt.
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6
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Bolzon C, Joonè CJ, Schulman ML, Harper CK, Villagómez DA, King WA, Révay T. Missense Mutation in the Ligand-Binding Domain of the Horse Androgen Receptor Gene in a Thoroughbred Family with Inherited 64,XY (SRY+) Disorder of Sex Development. Sex Dev 2016; 10:37-44. [DOI: 10.1159/000444991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Hassan HA, Mazen I, Gad YZ, Ali OS, Mekkawy M, Essawi ML. Mutational Profile of 10 Afflicted Egyptian Families with 17-β-HSD-3 Deficiency. Sex Dev 2016; 10:66-73. [DOI: 10.1159/000445311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Mazen I, Amin H, Kamel A, El Ruby M, Bignon-Topalovic J, Bashamboo A, McElreavey K. Homozygous Mutation of the FGFR1 Gene Associated with Congenital Heart Disease and 46,XY Disorder of Sex Development. Sex Dev 2016; 10:16-22. [PMID: 27055092 DOI: 10.1159/000444948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most common cause of all birth defects and account for nearly 25% of all major congenital anomalies leading to mortality in the first year of life. Extracardiac anomalies including urogenital aberrations are present in ∼30% of all cases. Here, we present a rare case of a 46,XY patient with CHD associated with ambiguous genitalia consisting of a clitoris-like phallus and a bifid scrotum. Exome sequencing revealed novel homozygous mutations in the FGFR1 and STARD3 genes that may be associated with the phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inas Mazen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
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Linden AF, Maine RG, Hedt-Gauthier BL, Kamanzi E, Gauvey-Kern K, Mody G, Ntakiyiruta G, Kansayisa G, Ntaganda E, Niyonkuru F, Mubiligi J, Mpunga T, Meara JG, Riviello R. Validation of a community-based survey assessing nonobstetric surgical conditions in Burera District, Rwanda. Surgery 2016; 159:1217-26. [PMID: 26775073 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2015.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Validated, community-based surveillance methods to monitor epidemiologic progress in surgery have not yet been employed for surgical capacity building. The goal of this study was to create and assess the validity of a community-based questionnaire collecting data on untreated surgically correctable disease throughout Burera District, Rwanda, to accurately plan for surgical services at a district hospital. METHODS A structured interview to assess for 10 index surgically treatable conditions was created and underwent local focus group and pilot testing. Using a 2-stage cluster sampling design, Rwandan data collectors conducted the structured interview in 30 villages throughout the Burera District. Rwandan physicians revisited the surveyed households to perform physical examinations on all household members, used as the gold standard to validate the structured interview. RESULTS A total of 2,990 individuals were surveyed and 2,094 (70%) were available for physical examination. The calculated sensitivity and specificity of the survey tool were 44.5% (95% CI, 38.9-50.2%) and 97.7% (95% CI, 96.9-98.3%), respectively. The conditions with the highest sensitivity and specificity were hydrocephalus, clubfoot, and injuries/infections. Injuries/infections and hernias/hydroceles were the conditions most frequently found on examination that were not reported during the interview. CONCLUSION This study provides the first attempt to validate a community-based surgical surveillance tool. The finding of low sensitivity was likely related to limited access to care and poor health literacy. Accurate community-based surveys are critical to planning integrated health systems that include surgical care as a core component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison F Linden
- Department of Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC; Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | - Rebecca G Maine
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Bethany L Hedt-Gauthier
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Partners In Health/Inshuti Mu Buzima, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | | | - Gita Mody
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Georges Ntakiyiruta
- Department of Surgery, University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | - Edmond Ntaganda
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (CHUK), Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | - Joel Mubiligi
- Partners In Health/Inshuti Mu Buzima, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | - John G Meara
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Robert Riviello
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
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Tantawy S, Mazen I, Soliman H, Anwar G, Atef A, El-Gammal M, El-Kotoury A, Mekkawy M, Torky A, Rudolf A, Schrumpf P, Grüters A, Krude H, Dumargne MC, Astudillo R, Bashamboo A, Biebermann H, Köhler B. Analysis of the gene coding for steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1, NR5A1) in a cohort of 50 Egyptian patients with 46,XY disorders of sex development. Eur J Endocrinol 2014; 170:759-67. [PMID: 24591553 DOI: 10.1530/eje-13-0965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1, NR5A1) is a key transcriptional regulator of genes involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Recently, SF1 mutations were found to be a frequent cause of 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) in humans. We investigate the frequency of NR5A1 mutations in an Egyptian cohort of XY DSD. DESIGN Clinical assessment, endocrine evaluation and genetic analysis of 50 Egyptian XY DSD patients (without adrenal insufficiency) with a wide phenotypic spectrum. METHODS Molecular analysis of NR5A1 gene by direct sequencing followed by in vitro functional analysis of the two novel missense mutations detected. RESULTS Three novel heterozygous mutations of the coding region in patients with hypospadias were detected. p.Glu121AlafsX25 results in severely truncated protein, p.Arg62Cys lies in DNA-binding zinc finger, whereas p.Ala154Thr lies in the hinge region of SF1 protein. Transactivation assays using reporter constructs carrying promoters of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), CYP11A1 and TESCO core enhancer of Sox9 showed that p.Ala154Thr and p.Arg62Cys mutations result in aberrant biological activity of NR5A1. A total of 17 patients (34%) harboured the p.Gly146Ala polymorphism. CONCLUSION We identified two novel NR5A1 mutations showing impaired function in 23 Egyptian XY DSD patients with hypospadias (8.5%). This is the first study searching for NR5A1 mutations in oriental patients from the Middle East and Arab region with XY DSD and no adrenal insufficiency, revealing a frequency similar to that in European patients (6.5-15%). We recommend screening of NR5A1 in patients with hypospadias and gonadal dysgenesis. Yearly follow-ups of gonadal function and early cryoconservation of sperms should be performed in XY DSD patients with NR5A1 mutations given the risk of future fertility problems due to early gonadal failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Tantawy
- Institute of Experimental Paediatric Endocrinology, University Children's Hospital, Charité, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
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Hassan H, Mazen I, Gad Y, Ali O, Mekkawy M, Essawi M. A Novel Nonsense Mutation in Exon 1 ofHSD17B3Gene in an Egyptian 46,XY Adult Female Presenting with Primary Amenorrhea. Sex Dev 2013; 7:277-81. [DOI: 10.1159/000351822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Mansour S, Hamed S, Adel L, Kamal R, Ahmed D. Does MRI add to ultrasound in the assessment of disorders of sex development? Eur J Radiol 2012; 81:2403-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2011] [Revised: 07/06/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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Profile of disorders of sexual differentiation in the Northeast region of Cairo, Egypt. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmhg.2012.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Gaspari L, Sampaio DR, Paris F, Audran F, Orsini M, Neto JB, Sultan C. High prevalence of micropenis in 2710 male newborns from an intensive-use pesticide area of Northeastern Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 35:253-64. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2011.01241.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Révay T, Villagómez DAF, Brewer D, Chenier T, King WA. GTG mutation in the start codon of the androgen receptor gene in a family of horses with 64,XY disorder of sex development. Sex Dev 2011; 6:108-16. [PMID: 22095250 DOI: 10.1159/000334049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic sex in mammals is determined by the sex chromosomal composition of the zygote. The X and Y chromosomes are responsible for numerous factors that must work in close concert for the proper development of a healthy sexual phenotype. The role of androgens in case of XY chromosomal constitution is crucial for normal male sex differentiation. The intracellular androgenic action is mediated by the androgen receptor (AR), and its impaired function leads to a myriad of syndromes with severe clinical consequences, most notably androgen insensitivity syndrome and prostate cancer. In this paper, we investigated the possibility that an alteration of the equine AR gene explains a recently described familial XY, SRY + disorder of sex development. We uncovered a transition in the first nucleotide of the AR start codon (c.1A>G). To our knowledge, this represents the first causative AR mutation described in domestic animals. It is also a rarely observed mutation in eukaryotes and is unique among the >750 entries of the human androgen receptor mutation database. In addition, we found another quiet missense mutation in exon 1 (c.322C>T). Transcription of AR was confirmed by RT-PCR amplification of several exons. Translation of the full-length AR protein from the initiating GTG start codon was confirmed by Western blot using N- and C-terminal-specific antibodies. Two smaller peptides (25 and 14 amino acids long) were identified from the middle of exon 1 and across exons 5 and 6 by mass spectrometry. Based upon our experimental data and the supporting literature, it appears that the AR is expressed as a full-length protein and in a functional form, and the observed phenotype is the result of reduced AR protein expression levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Révay
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Gaspari L, Paris F, Jandel C, Kalfa N, Orsini M, Daurès JP, Sultan C. Prenatal environmental risk factors for genital malformations in a population of 1442 French male newborns: a nested case-control study. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:3155-62. [PMID: 21868402 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the past decades, an increasing trend in male external genital malformations such as cryptorchidism and hypospadias has led to the suspicion that environmental chemicals are detrimental to male fetal sexual development. Several environmental pollutants, including organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, bisphenol A, phthalates, dioxins and furans have estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity and are thus considered as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Since male sex differentiation is critically dependent on the normal production and action of androgens during fetal life, EDCs may be able to alter normal male sex differentiation. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of external genital malformations in a population of full-term newborn males in southern France. We also performed a case-control study to identify the risk factors for male external genital malformations, with a focus on parental occupational exposure to EDCs. METHODS Over a 16-month period, 1615 full-term newborn males with a birth weight above 2500 g were registered on a level-1 maternity ward, and the same pediatrician systematically examined 1442 of them (89%) for cryptorchidism, hypospadias and micropenis. For every male newborn with genital malformation, we enrolled nearly two males matched for age, parity and term. All parents of the case and control newborns were interviewed about pregnancy aspects, personal characteristics, lifestyle and their occupational exposure to EDCs using a detailed questionnaire. RESULTS We report 39 cases of genital malformation (2.70%), with 18 cases of cryptorchidism (1.25%), 14 of hypospadias (0.97%), 5 of micropenis (0.35%) and 2 of 46,XY disorders of sexual differentiation (DSD; 0.14%). We observed a significant relationship between newborn cryptorchidism, hypospadias or micropenis and parental occupational exposure to pesticides [odds ratio (OR) = 4.41; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.21-16.00]. Familial clustering for male external genital malformations (OR = 7.25; 95% CI, 0.70-74.30) and medications taken by mothers during pregnancy (OR = 5.87; 95% CI, 0.93-37.00) were associated with the risk of cryptorchidism, hypospadias and micropenis, although the association was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Although the causes of male genital malformation are multifactorial, our data support the hypothesis that prenatal contamination by pesticides may be a potential risk factor for newborn male external genital malformation and it should thus be routinely investigated in all undervirilized newborn males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gaspari
- Unité d'Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie 1, Hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier et Université Montpellier 1, 34295 Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
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