Prenatal Exposure To Glycol Ethers And Sex Hormone Levels In Cord Blood

Abstract

Background: Glycol ethers (GE) are solvents present in a wide range of occupational and domestic products. Several animal and epidemiological studies have suggested that some of them could alter gonadal and reproductive functions. Aim: To explore association between prenatal exposure to GE and sex hormone levels in cord blood. Methods: Concentrations of 8 GE metabolites were measured in one urinary sample, collected before 19 weeks of gestation, among 350 pregnant women randomly selected from a mother-child birth cohort study (France) with available cord blood samples. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol (E2), total testosterone (T), bioavailable testosterone, and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were measured in cord blood. Associations between GE metabolites and sex hormones were explored by multiple linear and spline regressions adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Six metabolites were detected in more than 10% of the urinary samples, from 12% (propoxyacetic acid [PAA]) to 94% (phenoxyacetic acid [PhAA]). Significant quadratic relations were observed between methoxyethoxyacetic acid and SHBG (p=0.03) and E2 (p=0.01). Significant lower levels of T were observed when methoxyacetic acid was detected (p=0.03). Modification of hormone levels were also suggested with exposure to PhAA and PAA. Some associations differed according to newborn sex. No association was found with AMH. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study about prenatal GE exposures and sex hormone levels in cord blood. Significant nonlinear relations were observed and results by newborn sex suggested an alteration of both male and female gonads at various levels of exposure. However, modifications of hormone levels in cord blood could also be interpreted as a result of placental endocrine functions and exposures to GE may also be surrogates for potential coexposures.