TLDR Prenatal pesticide exposure may cause earlier breast development in girls.
The study investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to non-persistent pesticides on early breast development in a cohort of 83 girls, with 53 exposed and 30 unexposed, whose mothers worked in greenhouses in Denmark. It found that exposed girls experienced earlier breast development, with a higher prevalence of breast development (45.2%) compared to unexposed girls (23.3%), and an earlier mean age of onset at 8.9 years versus 10.4 years. Hormone levels such as estradiol and testosterone were more frequently detectable in exposed girls. The study suggested that prenatal pesticide exposure might be associated with earlier breast development, potentially due to higher androgen levels leading to increased estrogen through aromatization, and highlighted the need for further research on the long-term reproductive consequences.
284 citations
,
February 2008 in “Pediatrics” Chemicals and body size might change when puberty starts and progresses, but more research is needed to confirm this.
55 citations
,
May 2019 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Androgens are important for female fertility and could help in IVF treatment, but also play a role in causing PCOS.
258 citations
,
July 2016 in “Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology” The document concludes that insulin resistance is key in PCOS development and early treatment is crucial to prevent complications.
November 2022 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Postmenopausal hyperandrogenism, a condition with symptoms like increased hair growth and acne, is usually caused by PCOS but can also be due to other factors. It's diagnosed by checking testosterone levels and treated either by removing the adrenal tumor or through antiandrogen therapy.
12 citations
,
January 2016 in “Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics” Certain gene variations are linked to higher male hormone levels in Chinese women with PCOS and insulin resistance.
2 citations
,
November 2012 in “InTech eBooks” The document concludes that sex hormones are crucial for mammalian reproduction, health, and behavior, and require more research for therapeutic use.
