Pesticide May Reduce Testosterone

Researchers say a chemical in a common pesticide reduces men's testosterone production. The study focuses on the effects of HPTE, a metabolite found in the pesticide methoxychl.

A report by Population Council scientists in the March 2000 edition of Biology of Reproduction says the chemical could play a role in male infertility.

Methoxychlor is a pesticide in the DDT family, and it became popular after DDT was banned in 1972. Researchers Matt Hardy and Benson Akingbemi say they examined the effect HPTE has on testosterone production in developing and adult Leydig cells.

The researchers say the more HPTE that Leydig cells were exposed to, the less testosterone the cells produced. When HPTE was removed, they note, testosterone production by immature and adult Leydig cells rebounded somewhat, but not fully.

Methoxychlor is used as a common pesticide and has veterinary uses as well, mainly for getting rid of parasites. The long-term effects of the chemical on humans are not well-researched.

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