IMPACT OF PESTICIDE ENVIRONMETAL EXPOSURE IN THE TRIAD MOTHER-PLACENTA-FETUS AND

ROVEDATTI GABRIELA; GUIÑAZU NATALIA; BULGARONI VANINA; ALVAREZ GABRIEL; CECCHI AMALIA; CHIAPELLA GRACIELA; BERTA VERA; QUINTANA MARIA MARTA ; RIVERO-OSIMANI VALERIA; SABINO GUILLERMO; QUIDEL NATALIA; ANDERLE SOFIA; BERTONE CECILIA; VALDEZ SUSANA; MAGNARELLI GLADIS

Conferencia; Conferencia internacional "Salud Ambiental en la Agenda Politica"; 2012

Departamento de Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, UDELAR

Considering that perinatal health represents a relevant public health problem, this work studied the environmental exposure to pesticides in the Upper Valley of Rio Negro and Neuquen, Argentina, where organophosphates (OP), are intensively used. We performed a prospective study with 776 pregnant women, using inclusion/exclusion criteria. The goal of this work was to identify changes in effect biomarkers in the triad mother-placenta-fetus, the mechanisms involved and their association with intrauterine development. Biochemical, molecular and morphometric parameters in the rural population (PoR) in pulverization (PP) and pre-pulverization periods (PreP) and in the control group of urban residence (PoU) were analysed. Pregnancy alterations were also recorded. According to blood cholynesterases we stablished that PoR pregnant women were exposed to OP and also presented endocrine disruption (alterations in cortisol and progesterone levels). In the placenta we observed modifications in carboxylesterase activity, mitochondrial enzyme activities, progesterone levels and in the expression of cytokines (IL-13, TGFb and TNFa). Umbilical cord blood preliminary results suggest an adaptive response to oxidative stress in erythrocyte and augmented rate of genetic damage in lymphocytes. Taking into account confounding factors, height and head circumference (adjusted by neonate sex and gestational age) were lower in PoR than PoU, while the percentage of newborns with head circumference below the 5th percentile was higher. In PoR a higher percentage of threatened abortion was recorded. These findings suggest association between pesticide exposure and changes in the intrauterine development, with possible short and long term health consequences. Additionally, preventive educational actions were carried out at public hospitals and schools in order to minimize the risk of pesticides exposure in vulnerable groups. Umbilical cord blood preliminary results suggest an adaptive response to oxidative stress in erythrocyte and augmented rate of genetic damage in lymphocytes. Taking into account confounding factors, height and head circumference (adjusted by neonate sex and gestational age) were lower in PoR than PoU, while the percentage of newborns with head circumference below the 5th percentile was higher. In PoR a higher percentage of threatened abortion was recorded. These findings suggest association between pesticide exposure and changes in the intrauterine development, with possible short and long term health consequences. Additionally, preventive educational actions were carried out at public hospitals and schools in order to minimize the risk of pesticides exposure in vulnerable groups. Umbilical cord blood preliminary results suggest an adaptive response to oxidative stress in erythrocyte and augmented rate of genetic damage in lymphocytes. Taking into account confounding factors, height and head circumference (adjusted by neonate sex and gestational age) were lower in PoR than PoU, while the percentage of newborns with head circumference below the 5th percentile was higher. In PoR a higher percentage of threatened abortion was recorded. These findings suggest association between pesticide exposure and changes in the intrauterine development, with possible short and long term health consequences. Additionally, preventive educational actions were carried out at public hospitals and schools in order to minimize the risk of pesticides exposure in vulnerable groups.