Pyrethroids (PYRs) may act as endocrine disrupters and lead to infertility. The aim of the study was to analyze the levels of anti-androgenic PYRs (cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and permethrin) and 3-phenoxy benzoic acid (3-PBA), a general metabolite of PYRs, in both semen and urine samples of men with oligozoospermia. The PYRs and 3-PBA metabolite levels in the semen and urine samples of the men were analyzed through GC-MS. The results indicated that the levels of PYRs in the semen samples of the infertile group were significantly higher than those of the fertile group. It was determined that cypermethrin exposure was associated with changes in sperm count and total sperm motility, while permethrin, deltamethrin, and 3-PBA levels were associated with changes in sperm morphology. It was determined that there was a significant negative correlation between semen deltamethrin levels and sperm morphology and sperm count. In addition, exposure of these patients to deltamethrin (range; 1.53-8.02 µg/l) and having farmer parents were determined to increase the risk of infertility. In conclusion, the findings of this study showed that exposure to environmental PYRs may adversely affect semen quality, especially in terms of sperm morphology, in men with oligozoospermia.
Keywords: Pyrethroids; anti-androgenic; male infertility; oligospermia; semen.