Urinary Glyphosate Concentrations and Serum Sex Hormones in a Nationally Representative U.S. Sample: NHANES 2017–2018
Glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHS) are the most widely used herbicides worldwide, yet their potential endocrine-disrupting effects in humans remain inadequately studied. We analyzed data from 1532 participants aged ≥6 years in the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Su...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Wen-Yang Wu Du-Sheng Wang Hsuan-Cheng Lin Chikang Wang Chien-Yu Lin |
| author_facet | Wen-Yang Wu Du-Sheng Wang Hsuan-Cheng Lin Chikang Wang Chien-Yu Lin |
| author_sort | Wen-Yang Wu |
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| description | Glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHS) are the most widely used herbicides worldwide, yet their potential endocrine-disrupting effects in humans remain inadequately studied. We analyzed data from 1532 participants aged ≥6 years in the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Serum sex hormones assessed included follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), androstenedione, estrone, estradiol, estrone sulfate, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). We found that higher urinary glyphosate levels were significantly associated with lower concentrations of AMH (β = −0.140, <i>p</i> < 0.05), androstenedione (β = −0.134, <i>p</i> < 0.001), estradiol (β = −0.185, <i>p</i> < 0.05), estrone (β = −0.132, <i>p</i> < 0.05), estrone sulfate (β = −0.196, <i>p</i> < 0.001), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (β = −0.097, <i>p</i> < 0.05), and progesterone (β = −0.212, <i>p</i> < 0.05). SHBG was positively associated (β = 0.080, <i>p</i> < 0.05). FSH and LH showed no significant associations. These associations were generally linear and showed modification by age. Subgroup analyses revealed stronger negative associations in adult males, while SHBG increased in females. In conclusion, we observed that higher urinary glyphosate levels were significantly associated with alterations in multiple serum sex hormones. Although the cross-sectional design precludes causal inference, these findings underscore the need for longitudinal research to determine temporal relationships and underlying mechanisms. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-3a0ff0b5bfe94731bfdab3c8f6260af72025-08-20T02:45:53ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-06-01157102410.3390/life15071024Urinary Glyphosate Concentrations and Serum Sex Hormones in a Nationally Representative U.S. Sample: NHANES 2017–2018Wen-Yang Wu0Du-Sheng Wang1Hsuan-Cheng Lin2Chikang Wang3Chien-Yu Lin4School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 100, TaiwanDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 237, TaiwanSchool of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 110, TaiwanDepartment of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu City 300, TaiwanDepartment of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu City 300, TaiwanGlyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHS) are the most widely used herbicides worldwide, yet their potential endocrine-disrupting effects in humans remain inadequately studied. We analyzed data from 1532 participants aged ≥6 years in the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Serum sex hormones assessed included follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), androstenedione, estrone, estradiol, estrone sulfate, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). We found that higher urinary glyphosate levels were significantly associated with lower concentrations of AMH (β = −0.140, <i>p</i> < 0.05), androstenedione (β = −0.134, <i>p</i> < 0.001), estradiol (β = −0.185, <i>p</i> < 0.05), estrone (β = −0.132, <i>p</i> < 0.05), estrone sulfate (β = −0.196, <i>p</i> < 0.001), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (β = −0.097, <i>p</i> < 0.05), and progesterone (β = −0.212, <i>p</i> < 0.05). SHBG was positively associated (β = 0.080, <i>p</i> < 0.05). FSH and LH showed no significant associations. These associations were generally linear and showed modification by age. Subgroup analyses revealed stronger negative associations in adult males, while SHBG increased in females. In conclusion, we observed that higher urinary glyphosate levels were significantly associated with alterations in multiple serum sex hormones. Although the cross-sectional design precludes causal inference, these findings underscore the need for longitudinal research to determine temporal relationships and underlying mechanisms.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1024androstenedioneestradiolglyphosateglyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs)serum sex hormonesNational Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) |
| spellingShingle | Wen-Yang Wu Du-Sheng Wang Hsuan-Cheng Lin Chikang Wang Chien-Yu Lin Urinary Glyphosate Concentrations and Serum Sex Hormones in a Nationally Representative U.S. Sample: NHANES 2017–2018 Life androstenedione estradiol glyphosate glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) serum sex hormones National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) |
| title | Urinary Glyphosate Concentrations and Serum Sex Hormones in a Nationally Representative U.S. Sample: NHANES 2017–2018 |
| title_full | Urinary Glyphosate Concentrations and Serum Sex Hormones in a Nationally Representative U.S. Sample: NHANES 2017–2018 |
| title_fullStr | Urinary Glyphosate Concentrations and Serum Sex Hormones in a Nationally Representative U.S. Sample: NHANES 2017–2018 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Urinary Glyphosate Concentrations and Serum Sex Hormones in a Nationally Representative U.S. Sample: NHANES 2017–2018 |
| title_short | Urinary Glyphosate Concentrations and Serum Sex Hormones in a Nationally Representative U.S. Sample: NHANES 2017–2018 |
| title_sort | urinary glyphosate concentrations and serum sex hormones in a nationally representative u s sample nhanes 2017 2018 |
| topic | androstenedione estradiol glyphosate glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) serum sex hormones National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1024 |
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