Blood lead levels and timing of male sexual maturity: A longitudinal study of Russian boys.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Higher blood lead levels (BLLs) have been linked to neurologic deficits and impaired growth, but few studies have evaluated their association with timing of sexual maturity or pubertal progression in boys.

Methods

In a longitudinal cohort of Russian boys enrolled at age 8-9 and followed to adulthood, BLLs were measured at study entry, and pubertal staging (genitalia and pubic hair) and testicular volume (TV) measurements were obtained annually. We used interval-censored regression models to estimate differences between boys with higher BLL (≥5 μg/dL) and lower BLL in mean ages at sexual maturity (genitalia stage 5, pubic hair stage 5, or TV ≥ 20 mL) and duration of pubertal progression (onset to maturity), adjusting for potential confounders. Mediation analyses we

SUBMITTER: Williams PL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6388626 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature