Abstract
BackgroundPhthalates are plastic softeners with anti-androgenic properties. Prenatal exposure has led to lower testosterone (T) levels and smaller testicles in adult rats. To our knowledge, no studies have examined associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and sex hormone concentrations in infants. ObjectiveTo study associations between phthalate exposure in Danish pregnant women and T, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Δ4-androstenedione (adion), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations in their infants (N = 479) during mini-puberty. MethodsConcentrations of 12 phthalate metabolites from six phthalate diesters were measured in urine samples collected from 2010 to 2012 from 479 pregnant women participating in the Odense Child Cohort at gestational week 28 (range 20.4–30.4). Serum T, LH, FSH, adion, 17-OHP, DHEAS, weight and height were measured approximately three months after expected date of birth. Associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and gonadotropin and androgen metabolite concentrations were estimated in boys and girls separately in adjusted linear regression models. ResultsT concentration was lower in boys prenatally exposed to phthalates. Maternal urinary concentrations of summed mono-iso-butyl and mono-n-butyl phthalate (∑MBPi+n) and summed metabolites of di-iso-nonyl phthalate (∑DiNPm) were associated with lower T/LH ratio in male offspring and a dose-response association was found. FSH was 14% (95% CI: 1; 25) lower among male offspring from mothers exposed to ∑DiNPm in the highest compared to the lowest tertile. No association was found for girls. ConclusionEven in these low exposed children, we found a significant decrease in T/LH ratio during mini-puberty in boys prenatally exposed to phthalates, which may suggest impairment of Leydig cells. The children will be followed as they approach adrenarche and pubarche in order to assess if long-term adverse effects persist.
Highlights
Phthalates are plasticizers used in a variety of everyday products such as cosmetics, medical devices, personal care products and in building materials such as flooring, cables and wall covering known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (Bornehag et al, 2005; Dodson et al, 2015)
Concentrations of 12 phthalate metabolites from six phthalate diesters were measured in urine samples collected from 2010 to 2012 from 479 pregnant women participating in the Odense Child Cohort at gestational week 28
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was 14% lower among male offspring from mothers exposed to ∑DiNPm in the highest compared to the lowest tertile
Summary
Phthalates are plasticizers used in a variety of everyday products such as cosmetics, medical devices, personal care products and in building materials such as flooring, cables and wall covering known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (Bornehag et al, 2005; Dodson et al, 2015). No studies have examined associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and sex hormone concentrations in infants. Objective: To study associations between phthalate exposure in Danish pregnant women and T, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Δ4-androstenedione (adion), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations in their infants (N = 479) during mini-puberty. Associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and gonadotropin and androgen metabolite concentrations were estimated in boys and girls separately in adjusted linear regression models. Results: T concentration was lower in boys prenatally exposed to phthalates. Maternal urinary concentrations of summed mono-iso-butyl and mono-n-butyl phthalate (∑MBPi+n) and summed metabolites of di-iso-nonyl phthalate (∑DiNPm) were associated with lower T/LH ratio in male offspring and a dose-response association was found. The children will be followed as they approach adrenarche and pubarche in order to assess if long-term adverse effects persist
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