The Association between Long-Term DDT or DDE Exposures and an Altered Sperm Epigenome—a Cross-Sectional Study of Greenlandic Inuit and South African VhaVenda Men

Abstract

The organochlorine dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is banned worldwide owing to its negative health effects. It is exceptionally used as an insecticide for malaria control. Exposure occurs in regions where DDT is applied, as well as in the Arctic, where its endocrine disrupting metabolite, p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE) accumulates in marine mammals and fish. DDT and p,p′-DDE exposures are linked to birth defects, infertility, cancer, and neurodevelopmental delays. Of particular concern is the potential of DDT use to impact the health of generations to come via the heritable sperm epigenome.