Pesticides Exposure and Risk of Hypospadias

The document explored the potential link between pesticide exposure and the risk of hypospadias, a common congenital anomaly in males where the urethra does not fully form, resulting in an abnormal opening on the ventral side of the penis. The study highlighted that hypospadias is classified into three degrees of severity, with the first degree being the mildest and the third degree the most severe. The development of male genitalia, including the urethra, occurs between weeks 8 and 14 of prenatal life and is influenced by androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. The study suggested that disruptions in hormonal activity during this critical period, potentially due to environmental factors like pesticides, could contribute to the occurrence of hypospadias.