Abstract
In 1973, accidental contamination of Michigan livestock with polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) led to the establishment of a registry of exposed individuals that have been followed for > 40 years. Besides being exposed to PBBs, this cohort has also been exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a structurally similar class of environmental pollutants, at levels similar to average US exposure. In this study, we examined the association between current serum PCB and PBB levels and various female reproductive health outcomes to build upon previous work and inconsistencies. Participation in this cross-sectional study required a blood draw and completion of a detailed health questionnaire. Analysis included only female participants who had participated between 2012 and 2015 (N = 254). Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to identify associations between serum PCB and PBB levels with each gynecological and infertility outcome. Additionally, a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to evaluate each pregnancy and birth outcome in order to account for multiple pregnancies per woman. We controlled for age, body mass index, and total lipid levels in all analyses. A p-value of <0.05 was used for statistical significance. Among the women who reported ever being pregnant, there was a significant negative association with higher total PCB levels associating with fewer lifetime pregnancies ( β = −0.11, 95% CI = −0.21 to −0.005, p = 0.04). There were no correlations between serum PCB levels and the self-reported gynecological outcomes (pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or uterine fibroids). No associations were identified between serum PCB levels and the prevalence of female infertility in women reporting ever having sexual intercourse with a male partner. There were no associations identified between serum PCB levels and pregnancy outcomes (singleton live births or miscarriages) or birth outcomes (preterm birth, birth weight, birth defects, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, or gestational diabetes). PBB was not associated with any outcome. Further research is needed to determine if and how PCB may reduce pregnancy number.
Highlights
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) are synthetic chemicals that were once used as coolants in electrical equipment and as flame retardants in the manufacturing of plastics and electronics, respectively[1,2]
Continued exposure to both PBBs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is a concern given that both PBBs and PCBs are endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), meaning that they can interfere with the normal function of the endocrine system and may result in adverse health effects[1,2,4]
Several population-based studies have suggested PCB exposure may associate with increased risk of uterine fibroids[15,16], polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)[17], and endometriosis[18]; PBB exposure has been less studied with no current associations identified with uterine fibroids or endometriosis[3,19]
Summary
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) are synthetic chemicals that were once used as coolants in electrical equipment and as flame retardants in the manufacturing of plastics and electronics, respectively[1,2]. The production of PCBs ceased in 1977 and PBBs in 1976, concern over their health effects remains because of their continued persistence in the environment, the pervasiveness of their exposure in www.nature.com/scientificreports human populations, their lipophilicity and ability to accumulate in the food products, and their long biological half-life in the body[1,2,3]. FireMaster did not contain PCBs, these Michigan families were exposed to PCB from other sources, such as contaminated fish in the Great Lakes region and farms with PCB-lined silos[40] This established geographic cohort of individuals in the Michigan PBB Registry provides an excellent opportunity to examine both PCB and PBB exposure and female reproductive health outcomes. This study will evaluate associations between reproductive outcomes and current serum PBB and PCB levels utilizing a larger sample size than some previous studies in this population
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