Endocrine disruptors and spontaneous premature labor: a case control study

Stephen L Wood,John J Jarrell,Sui Chan,Cheryl Swaby

doi:10.1186/1476-069x-6-35

Stephen L Wood, John J Jarrell + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069x-6-35

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Journal: Environmental Health	Publication Date: Nov 15, 2007
Citations: 41	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University of Calgary

Abstract

BackgroundPremature labor is a poorly understood condition. Estrogen is thought to play a key role and therefore the labor process may be affected by endocrine disruptors. We sought to determine whether or not an environmental toxicant, DDE, or dietary derived endocrine disruptors, daidzein and genistein, are associated with spontaneous preterm labor.MethodsCases were defined as primiparous patients having a preterm delivery at or before 35 weeks following the spontaneous onset of labor. Controls were defined as primiparous women who delivered on the same day as the cases but at term gestation.Over approximately 1 year, 26 cases and 52 controls were recruited. Subjects agreed to have blood tests on day one postpartum for DDE and for the phytoestrogens genistein and daidzein.ResultsThe mean concentration of DDE was similar in the case and control groups: 4.29 vs 4.32 ng/g lipid p = .85. In the case group, 13/26 had detectable levels of daidzein (range 0.20 – 1.56 ng/ml) compared to 25/52 controls (range 0.21 – 3.26 ng/ml). The mean concentration of daidzein was similar in cases compared to controls: 0.30 vs .34 ng/ml p = 0.91. Of the case group,14/26 had detectable levels of genistein (range 0.20 – 2.19 ng/ml) compared to 32/52 controls (range 0.21 – 2.55 ng/ml). The mean concentration of genistein was similar in cases compared to controls: 0.39 vs 0.31 ng/ml, p = 0.61.ConclusionThe serum levels of DDE in this population were found to be low.There appears to be no relationship between serum concentrations of DDE, daidzein, and genistein and spontaneous preterm labor in our population. The inability to identify an effect may be related to the comparatively low concentrations of DDE in our population and the rapid and variable reduction of phytoestrogens from women in labor.

Highlights

Premature labor is a poorly understood condition
There appears to be no relationship between serum concentrations of DDE, daidzein, and genistein and spontaneous preterm labor in our population
The phytoestrogens are of increasing interest owing to their estrogenic properties and ubiquitous exposure from a variety of foods and the ability of individuals to alter the exposure through soy supplementation [4]

Summary

Introduction

Premature labor is a poorly understood condition. Estrogen is thought to play a key role and the labor process may be affected by endocrine disruptors. We sought to determine whether or not an environmental toxicant, DDE, or dietary derived endocrine disruptors, daidzein and genistein, are associated with spontaneous preterm labor. Endocrine disruptors, especially those that have estrogen like effects, may have a role in preterm labor. The phytoestrogens are of increasing interest owing to their estrogenic properties and ubiquitous exposure from a variety of foods and the ability of individuals to alter the exposure through soy supplementation [4]. These chemicals have been shown to exert estrogenicity through binding to the ErB receptor. The oral administration of phytoestrogens have been reported to reverse the anti-estrogenic actions of clomiphene citrate on the endometrial lining [10]

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Discussion

Conclusion