A panel study on effects of short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide on serum reproductive hormones in healthy adults
- VernacularTitle:大气颗粒物和二氧化氮急性暴露对健康成人血清生殖激素影响的定组研究
- Author:
Yan FANG
1
;
Xinghou HE
1
;
Erlu ZHAO
1
;
Bin ZHANG
1
;
Yutong ZHU
1
;
Tong WANG
1
;
Xiaoming SONG
1
;
Hongbing XU
2
;
Wei HUANG
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Selectedarticle
- Keywords: particulate matter; nitrogen dioxide; anti-Müllerian hormone; testosterone; panel study
- From: Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(6):709-716
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: Background Air pollution has widespread adverse health effects on human health, but research on its impact on reproductive health and related physiological mechanisms remains insufficient. Objective To investigate the associations between short-term exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and testosterone in healthy adults. Methods A total of 152 healthy adults were recruited for a panel study, undergoing four follow-up visits from September 2019 to January 2020. Basic demographic information and serum samples were collected. Reproductive hormone levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Concurrently, environmental data in the study area were monitored, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), NO2, particle number concentrations in the 5-560 nm size fraction (PNC5_560), and meteorological variables. Linear mixed-effects models were constructed to estimate the effects of short-term exposure to these particulate matter on serum reproductive hormone levels. Results The participants had an average age of (23.9±2.4) years, with 102 women. For each interquartile range (IQR) increment in pollutant moving average concentrations, PM2.5, PNC5_25, PNC100_560, BC, and NO2 were associated with relative decreases in female serum AMH levels by 10.2%-16.9%, 46.2%-58.0%, 16.9%-21.2%, 14.8%-26.5%, and 11.3%-17.6%, respectively. These negative associations were stronger in females with waist-to-hip ratio > 0.76 and physical activity levels ≤ 1217 metabolic equivalents (MET) min per week. Similarly, in males, an IQR increase in the same pollutants was associated with relative decreases in serum free testosterone by 11.1%-17.2%, 35.2%, 10.5%-18.9%, 18.7%-24.2%, and 10.3%-26.0%, respectively. These effects were more pronounce in male with a waist-to-hip ratios > 0.81 and physical activity levels ≤ 1498 MET-min per week. Conclusion Short-term exposure to particulate matter and NO2 may reduce serum levels of AMH and testosterone in healthy adults. Furthermore, these adverse effects appears to be stronger in adults with higher waist-to-hip ratios.
