AUTHOR=Wang Wei , Ma Yucheng , Chen Jiawei , Peng Liao , Gao Xiaoshuai , Lin Lede , Zhang Fuxun , Xiong Yang , Qin Feng , Yuan Jiuhong 

TITLE=The Association Between 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid and Erectile Dysfunction

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.910251

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.910251

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most frequently used herbicides in the world, and it has been linked with low testosterone; however, studies regarding its effect on erectile function are limited. The current study aimed to determine the association between the 2,4-D exposure and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>We analyzed data for urinary 2,4-D levels from 1,311 men (&gt;20 years of age) in the NHANES 2001–2004. ED was assessed by a single, validated survey question. Multivariable logistic regression analysis utilizing sampling weights was performed to determine the relationship between 2,4-D exposure and ED.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Multivariable logistic regression models demonstrated no statistically significant association between 2,4-D exposure and ED after full adjustment [odds ratio (OR) 1.02; 95% CI 0.77–1.36; <italic>P</italic> = 0.882)]. Men in the 2,4-D quartile 4 groups were not associated with an increased risk of ED (OR 1.13; 95% CI 0.74–1.75; <italic>P</italic> for trend = 0.481). Furthermore, the association between urinary 2,4-D level and ED was not significant in the subgroup analysis stratified by age, BMI, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>We demonstrated that there was no association between 2,4-D exposure and ED. Further studies are warranted to corroborate our results.</p></sec>