Total Urinary Arsenic and Inorganic Arsenic Concentrations and Birth Outcomes in Pregnant Women of Tacna, Peru: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Inorganic arsenic exposure has been linked to the development of several health conditions, including adverse birth outcomes; and around 150 million of people worldwide are exposed to levels above the WHO suggested limit of 10 μg/L. A recent risk assessment in pregnant women of Tacna, of this same population performed by our group, found that 70.25% were exposed to arsenic concentrations in drinking water ≥25 μg/L.

Association between biofuel exposure and adverse birth outcomes at high altitudes in Peru: a matched case-control study.

Nearly one-third of the Peruvian population burns biofuels for cooking. Similarly, approximately one-third of this population lives at high altitudes. Cooking with biofuels and living at high altitudes have been implicated in adverse perinatal outcomes.

Dose-response effect of black maca (Lepidium meyenii) in mice with memory impairment induced by ethanol.

Previous studies have shown that black variety of maca has beneficial effects on learning and memory in experimental animal models. The present study aimed to determine whether the hydroalcoholic extract of black maca (BM) showed a dose-response effect in mice treated with ethanol 20% (EtOH) as a model of memory impairment. Mice were divided in the following groups: control, EtOH, ascorbic acid (AA) and 0.

Semen quality in Peruvian pesticide applicators: association between urinary organophosphate metabolites and semen parameters.

Background: Organophosphates are broad class of chemicals widely used as pesticides throughout the world. We performed a cross-sectional study of associations between dialkylphosphate metabolites of organophosphates and semen quality among pesticide applicators in Majes (Arequipa), Peru.

Methods: Thirty-one men exposed to organophosphate (OP) pesticides and 31 non-exposed were recruited (age, 20-60 years).

Effect of different fractions from hydroalcoholic extract of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on testicular function in adult male rats.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different fractions of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii), obtained from the hydroalcoholic extract, on spermatogenesis.

Design: Animal study.

Setting: Animal and laboratory facilities at a university.

Dialkyl phosphate metabolites of organophosphorus in applicators of agricultural pesticides in Majes - Arequipa (Peru).

Background: Organophosphorus (OPs) pesticides are the most commonly used pesticides in Peruvian agriculture. The population at risk for OPs exposure includes formulators, applicators and farmers. Majes Valley is the most important agricultural center of the Southern region of Peru.

Semen quality and reproductive sex hormone levels in Peruvian pesticide sprayers.

To determine the association between occupational pesticide exposure and semen quality among sprayers using organophosphate (OPs) pesticides, 31 pesticide sprayers and 80 men who were not exposed were studied. Semen and blood samples were obtained one day after last pesticide application. Semen samples were analyzed for sperm concentration, percentage of sperm motility, percentage of normal morphology, and fructose and zinc concentrations.

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) reversed the lead acetate induced -- damage on reproductive function in male rats.

Rats were treated with 0, 8, 16 and 24 mg/kg of lead acetate (LA) (i.p.) for 35 days with or without Maca.

Effect of short-term and long-term treatments with three ecotypes of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on spermatogenesis in rats.

Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae), known as Maca, is a Peruvian hypocotyl that grows exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m above sea level in the central Andes. Maca is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed fertility-enhancing properties. The study aimed to test the hypothesis that different ecotypes of Maca (Red, Yellow and Black) after short-term (7 days) and long-term (42 days) treatment affects differentially spermatogenesis adult rats.

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) reduces spermatogenic damage induced by a single dose of malathion in mice.

Aim: To observe the effect of the aqueous extract of hypocotyls of the plant Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on spermatogenic damage induced by the organophosphate insecticide malathion in mice.

Methods: Mice were treated with 80 mg/kg of malathion in the presence or absence of an aqueous extract of Maca, which was orally administered 7, 14 or 21 days after injection of the malathion. Stages of the seminiferous epithelium were assessed by transillumination on days 0, 7, 14 and 21.

Red maca (Lepidium meyenii) reduced prostate size in rats.

Background: Epidemiological studies have found that consumption of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. This effect seems to be due to aromatic glucosinolate content. Glucosinolates are known for have both antiproliferative and proapoptotic actions.