Perfluoroalkyl Substances Levels In Cord Blood And Reproductive Hormones At Night-Year-Old Children

Abstract

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have long half-life characteristics, and also impact the environment and human health. Few studies explore the growing children on their reproductive function. Objective: We investigated the associations between in utero exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and children's reproductive hormones. Methods: Total of 169 mother–infant pairs in northern Taiwan was recruited from the Taiwan Birth Panel Study, which was established form 2004. PFASs in cord blood were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry; serum level of reproductive hormone was measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer. Multiple linear regression models were used to exam the association between PFASs in cord blood and children's reproductive hormones at 9 years of age. Results: The geometric mean (standard deviation) levels of PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and PFUA in cord blood plasma were 1.70 (2.23), 5.20 (1.92), 2.20(4.78), and 9.11(3.12) ng/mL, respectively. We observed an association between follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and PFOS in birth weight less than 3,200 gram group. The FSH slightly increased compared to the reference category (90th percentiles) of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in male. Conclusion: The associations between utero exposure and perfluoroalkyl substances might not be obvious. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the associations.