Effect of Biomass Smoke on Female Reproductive Hormones among Caterers in NNEWI Metropolis, South-East, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, caterers and a large population of women are frequently exposed to biomass smoke during cooking. Smoke is associated with reproductive abnormalities in women. Its harmful pollutants including fine particulate matter; carbon monoxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may cause defects during gametogenesis, trigger alteration in the release of some reproductive hormones and possibly stimulate immunologic responses leading to vascular injury. Objective: This Cross-sectional study examined the effects of exposure to biomass smoke on the reproductive hormones in female caterers in Nnewi using luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle Stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL) and estradiol (Es) as markers. Materials and methods: Ninety (90) participants (45 female caterers and 45 non-caterers) aged 18 - 40 years old were enrolled for this study. Follicular phase hormonal indices of the subjects were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis involved Student’s t-test, Pearson’s correlation and analysis of variance at p<0.05. Results: The PRL (ng/ml) level was significantly higher in caterers (19.10±10.11) than non-caterers (15.53±6.35) (p<0.05). However, there were non-significant differences between LH, FSH and Es levels in the test subjects compared with the control group (p>0.05). Also, non-significant variation existed when the duration of exposure to biomass smoke was compared among the sex hormones amongst caterers for 1-5, 6-10 and >11 years of exposure (p>0.05). Conclusion: The significantly elevated prolactin level among caterers (although within clinical reference range) suggests the implication of biomass smoke and its constituents in the alteration of female sex hormone.