Human exposure to n-hexane has been associated with subfertility and, experimentally, with a decrease in follicular development. In order to assess occupational exposure to n-hexane on ovarian function and gonadotropic hormones, we studied Mexican women labouring in a leather shoe factory (n = 34). Individual environmental levels for seven solvents, n-hexane included, were measured; also, urinary 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) was determined. For ovarian function and hormonal status, FSH, LH, oestradiol and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were determined. We performed all determinations also in a reference group, administrative workers with no exposure to solvents (n = 32). Results: N-hexane and urinary 2,5-HD levels were higher in exposed group (p < 0.001). More cases of oligomenorrhea as well as longer time for getting pregnant were observed in exposed women compared with controls; a positive association was found between menstrual cycle length and "time for getting pregnant" (p = 0.010); significant associations between FSH serum levels and 2,5-HD urinary levels (post-shift sample) were observed in non-smokers participants presenting oligomenorrhea from exposed group. Also, we found a trend for lower oestradiol levels in exposed participants with current smoking habit (p = 0.059). Conclusions: 2,5-HD urinary levels are associated with decreased gonadotropins levels; hence, n-hexane should be considered an endocrine disruptor in reproductive-age women.

中文翻译：

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正己烷作为内分泌干扰物在育龄期职业暴露妇女中的可能作用

人类接触正己烷与生育力低下有关，并且在实验上与卵泡发育的减少有关。为了评估职业暴露于正己烷对卵巢功能和促性腺激素的影响，我们研究了在皮鞋厂劳动的墨西哥妇女 (n = 34)。测量了七种溶剂（包括正己烷）的个别环境水平；此外，还测定了尿 2,5-己二酮 (2,5-HD)。对于卵巢功能和激素状态，测定了 FSH、LH、雌二醇和抗苗勒管激素 (AMH) 水平。我们还在参考组中进行了所有测定，即未接触溶剂的行政人员（n = 32）。结果：暴露组的正己烷和尿 2,5-HD 水平较高（p < 0.001）。与对照组相比，在暴露妇女中观察到更多的月经稀发病例以及更长的受孕时间；发现月经周期长度与“怀孕时间”呈正相关（p = 0.010）；在暴露组出现月经稀发的非吸烟者参与者中观察到 FSH 血清水平与 2,5-HD 尿液水平（轮班后样本）之间存在显着关联。此外，我们发现有当前吸烟习惯的暴露参与者雌二醇水平降低的趋势（p = 0.059）。结论：尿中 2,5-HD 水平与促性腺激素水平降低有关；因此，应将正己烷视为育龄妇女的内分泌干扰物。5-HD 尿水平与促性腺激素水平降低有关；因此，应将正己烷视为育龄妇女的内分泌干扰物。5-HD 尿水平与促性腺激素水平降低有关；因此，应将正己烷视为育龄妇女的内分泌干扰物。