Agriculture Exposure and Time to Pregnancy Among Women Enrolled in the French Prospective Cohort AGRICAN.

Abstract

In few retrospective studies, prolonged time-to-pregnancy (TTP) was observed for women exposed to pesticides especially in flower production. The present study investigated time-to-pregnancy in the AGRICAN cohort. Analyses were performed on 616 women reporting a pregnancy (2005 to 2017), and data on agricultural activities performed before the last pregnancy was retrospectively collected. Fecundability odds ratios (fOR) were estimated using a discrete time analogue of Cox proportional hazard model adjusted on maternal and paternal age, body mass index (BMI), and alcohol consumption. A decrease in fecundability was non-significantly associated with farm work (adjusted fOR = 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71 to 1.05). Decreases were also observed for nightwork (afOR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.49 to 1.15) and exposure to vibrations (afOR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.43 to 1.09). Women working on a farm before conception appeared to experience a longer TTP. Negative associations were suggested for some agricultural activities and working conditions.