Abstract
BackgroundPhthalate diesters are commonly used and have been well established as environmental endocrine disruptors. However, few studies have examined their effects on sex steroid hormones in children. We followed children over time to examine the association between pre- and post-natal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormone levels at 2, 5, 8, and 11 years of age.MethodsWe recruited 430 pregnant women from central Taiwan from 2000 to 2001 and assessed their children at birth, 2, 5, 8, and 11 years of age. We studies children with at least one measurement for both phthalate and hormone levels during each any of the follow-up time point (n = 193). Estradiol, free testosterone, testosterone, and progesterone were measured from venous blood. Three monoesters of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), mono-benzyl phthalate, mono-n-butyl phthalate, mono-ethyl phthalate, and mono-methyl phthalate were measured in maternal urine collected during the 3rd trimester and child urine collected at each follow-up point. The sum of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (∑MEHP) was calculated by summing the concentrations of the three DEHP monoesters. Generalized estimating equation regression analysis with repeated measures was used to estimate associations between phthalate metabolites and hormone levels.ResultsAfter adjustment for potential confounders, maternal ∑MEHP level was associated with decreased levels of progesterone in girls (β = −0.309 p = 0.001). The child ∑MEHP concentration was associated with decreased levels of progesterone for girls (β = −0.194, p = 0.003) and with decreased levels of free testosterone for boys (β = −0.124, p = 0.004).ConclusionsEarly-life DEHP exposure may alter sex steroid hormones of children over time, which may pose potential reproductive health risks.
Highlights
Phthalate esters are a class of chemicals added to an extensive range of products, including plastics and lotions.[1,2] Owing to their ubiquity, people are constantly exposed to phthalate esters through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact; the effects of phthalates on human reproductive health remain unclear.H.-J
2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), mono-benzyl phthalate, mono-n-butyl phthalate, mono-ethyl phthalate, and mono-methyl phthalate were measured in maternal urine collected during the 3rd P trimester and child urine collected at each follow-up point
A total of 191 children who had at least one follow-up at 2e3, 5e6, 8e9, and 11e12 years, and had measurements for both phthalate metabolites and hormone levels were included in the final analysis
Summary
Phthalate esters are a class of chemicals added to an extensive range of products, including plastics and lotions.[1,2] Owing to their ubiquity, people are constantly exposed to phthalate esters through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact; the effects of phthalates on human reproductive health remain unclear.H.-J. The gonads (i.e., ovaries in females and testes in males) subsequently synthesize and release sex steroid hormones, mainly estradiol and progesterone in females and testosterone in males, to the somatic circulation. The HPG axis is controlled through a negative feedback mechanism: systemic sex steroid hormone concentrations inhibit pituitary responsiveness to GnRH and GnRH secretion in the hypothalamus. An established endocrine-disrupting chemical, may interfere with normal functioning of the HPG axis and cause reproductive dysfunction.3e7. Phthalate diesters are commonly used and have been well established as environmental endocrine disruptors. Few studies have examined their effects on sex steroid hormones in children. We followed children over time to examine the association between pre- and post-natal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormone levels at 2, 5, 8, and 11 years of age
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