[The effect of occupational contact with pesticides on the function of the fetoplacental system].

A total of 110 pregnant women engaged in cotton growing and 110 rural residents having no occupational contacts with pesticides were examined. Occupational exposure to pesticides resulted in the majority of cases in early development of placental insufficiency, which fact is confirmed by reduced progesterone, placental lactogen, and estriol synthesis, as well as by placental tissue changes. Other findings were reduced immunological reactivity of the body, sensitization on the cellular and organic level, changed enzymatic activities of the peripheral blood cells, development of metabolic acidosis and hypoxemia. Pregnancy and labor were often associated with obstetrical and perinatal abnormalities. Similar changes of the peripheral blood leukocyte enzymatic activities were found in the newborns of women occupationally exposed to pesticides. The results call for the development of medicosocial measures aimed at health protection of women occupationally exposed to pesticides.