Pesticides Exposure and Risk of Hypospadias

Hypospadias is a common congenital anomaly, the cause of which is still unknown. The term hypospadias is derived from the Greek prefix “hypo” meaning bellow and the term “spadon”, meaning rent or defect (Dorland’s Medical History, 1981). The defect is readily observed, and hence it has been recognised since ancient times (Aristotle. Generation of animals, 1943). In both males and females the urethra is a perfect canal, but in the congenital anomaly of hypospadias, the canal becomes a gutter. This phenomenon is easily seen in males but not in females. In females anomalies of the urethral meatus are considered anomalies of the urogenital sinus (J.E. Skandalakis & S.W.Gray, 1994). The term “hypospadias” refers to an opening on the ventral side of the penis, while “epispadias” is an opening on the dorsal side. Hypospadias denotes a condition in which the urethra has failed to completely form and is often associated with a ventral curvature of the penis (chordee). Hypospadias is classified according to severity. The first degree is the mildest form, and the urethra opens on the anterior portion of the penis (glandular and subcoronal). The second degree is more severe and involves openings on the midshaft of the penis. The third degree is the most severe and involves posterior penile, penoscrotal, scrotal, and perineal openings. First-degree hypospadias accounts for approximately 50% of cases, second-degree for 30%, and third-degree for 20% (Duckett et al, 1996; Levitt SB & Reda, 1988).