Early breast development in girls after prenatal exposure to non‐persistent pesticides

The study investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to non-persistent pesticides on early breast development in girls, focusing on daughters of greenhouse workers. It found that girls exposed to pesticides in utero began breast development (B2+) at an average age of 8.9 years, earlier than unexposed girls (10.4 years) and a Danish reference population (10.0 years). Exposed girls also had higher serum androstenedione levels and lower Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels, suggesting a reduced pool of antral ovarian follicles. The study concluded that prenatal pesticide exposure might lead to earlier breast development due to higher androgen levels, which could increase estrogens through aromatization, although the long-term reproductive consequences were unknown.