Occupational use of agrochemicals results in inhibited cholinesterase activity and altered reproductive hormone levels in male farmers from Buea, Cameroon.

ABSTRACT: The efficiency of agro pesticides and fertilizers in eliminating pests and scaling up crop yield has motivated farmers to increase their use. Unfortunately, health hazards caused on farmers by these agrochemicals are of growing concern, though not well elucidated. In order to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to agrochemicals on some key parameters of male farmers' health in Buea Subdivision, Cameroon, a total of 101 men, including 62 farmers using the agrochemicals and a reference population of 39 men not involved in occupational utilization of the agrochemicals, were interviewed on use of protective equipment, exposure symptoms and reproductive health status. Thereafter, serum cholinesterase [acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE)] activities, total ant

SUBMITTER: Manfo FPT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8045595 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature