Cholinesterase inhibitor pesticides, especially organophosphates, are endocrine disruptors and a few existing studies have linked self-reports of exposure with increased depression and anxiety. Some evidence suggests that associations may be stronger in women, but the mechanism of this gender difference is unclear. We assessed whether acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition between 2 time points (reflecting greater cholinesterase inhibitor exposure) during different agricultural seasons in the year was associated with anxiety/depression symptoms. We examined 300 adolescents (ages 11–17 years, 51% female) living near agricultural settings in Ecuador (ESPINA study) twice in 2016: April and July–October. We assessed AChE activity (finger stick), estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, cortisol (saliva) and anxiety and depression scales (CDI-2 and MASC-2). The mean (SD) depression and anxiety scores were 52.8 (9.3) and 58.1 (9.6), respectively. The median (25th, 75th percentile) AChE change (July–October vs April) was − 3.94% (− 10.45%, 5.13%). For every 10% decrease in AChE activity, there was a 0.96 unit (95% CI 0.01, 1.90) increase in depression symptoms and an OR of elevated depression score of 1.67 (1.04, 2.66). These associations were stronger in girls (OR = 2.72 [1.23, 6.00]) than boys (1.18 [0.59, 2.37]). Adjustment for cortisol, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone reduced gender differences by 18–62%. No associations were observed with anxiety. Inhibition of AChE activity at 2 points in time during different pesticide spray periods was associated with greater depression symptoms, affecting girls more than boys. Gender differences may be partly explained by endocrine disruption. These findings suggest that AChE inhibition may transiently affect the mood of adolescents.

胆碱酯酶抑制剂农药，尤其是有机磷酸酯，是内分泌干扰物，一些现有研究已将自我报告的暴露与抑郁和焦虑的增加联系起来。一些证据表明，女性的相关性可能更强，但这种性别差异的机制尚不清楚。我们评估了一年中不同农业季节的 2 个时间点之间的乙酰胆碱酯酶 (AChE) 抑制（反映更大的胆碱酯酶抑制剂暴露）是否与焦虑/抑郁症状相关。我们于 2016 年对居住在厄瓜多尔农业环境附近的 300 名青少年（年龄 11-17 岁，51% 为女性）进行了两次调查（ESPINA 研究）：4 月和 7-10 月。我们评估了AChE活性（指尖刺痛）、雌二醇、睾酮、脱氢表雄酮、皮质醇（唾液）以及焦虑和抑郁量表（CDI-2和MASC-2）。抑郁和焦虑的平均 (SD) 分数分别为 52.8 (9.3) 和 58.1 (9.6)。中位（第 25、75 个百分位）AChE 变化（7 月至 10 月与 4 月）为 − 3.94% (− 10.45%、5.13%)。AChE 活性每降低 10%，抑郁症状就会增加 0.96 个单位 (95% CI 0.01, 1.90)，抑郁评分升高的 OR 为 1.67 (1.04, 2.66)。这些关联在女孩中（OR = 2.72 [1.23, 6.00]）比男孩（1.18 [0.59, 2.37]）更强。调整皮质醇、睾酮和脱氢表雄酮后，性别差异减少了 18-62%。没有观察到与焦虑的关联。在不同农药喷洒期间的两个时间点抑制乙酰胆碱酯酶活性与更严​​重的抑郁症状相关，对女孩的影响比男孩更大。性别差异的部分原因可能是内分泌干扰。这些发现表明，AChE 抑制可能会暂时影响青少年的情绪。