Abstract
There is evidence of endocrine disruption and reproductive effects in animals following exposure to certain PBDEs, but human studies are limited. The goal of this study was to investigate the use of serum and follicular fluid as biomarkers of exposure to PBDEs and to explore whether a relationship between PBDE exposure and early pregnancy loss exists. We measured 8 PBDE congeners in archived serum and ovarian follicular fluid samples from 65 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Logistic regression models were used to predict the odds of failed embryo implantation associated with higher levels of PBDEs among the women in the study. There were moderate Kendall's Tau-beta correlations between serum and follicular fluid concentrations of BDE 28, 47, 100 and 154 (Tβ=0.29–0.38, all p-values<0.005), but BDE 99 and 153 were not correlated between the two matrices (Tβ<0.2, p-values>0.05). Women with detectable concentrations of BDE 153 (39% had detectable levels) in follicular fluid had elevated odds of failed implantation compared with women who had non-detectable concentrations (adjusted OR=10.0; 95%CI: 1.9 to 52; p=0.006; adjusted by age and body mass index). These findings suggest that exposure to BDE 153 may be associated with failed embryo implantation. Due to our observation of only moderate correlations between matrices, serum PBDE concentrations may not be a good indicator of follicular fluid concentrations when studying early pregnancy endpoints in women undergoing IVF.
Highlights
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of flame retardants used in the manufacture of a variety of consumer products, including home electronics, upholstered furniture, carpeting, and other items containing polyurethane foam or plastics
We measured PBDEs in archived serum and follicular fluid samples from 65 women who participated in a large study of predictors of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) success, where we found that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and cigarette smoking were associated with IVF implantation success rates (Meeker et al, 2007a, 2011)
Because only moderate correlations were observed between PBDE concentrations in serum and follicular fluid, serum concentrations may not be a good indicator of follicular fluid concentrations when studying fertility and early pregnancy loss in women undergoing IVF
Summary
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of flame retardants used in the manufacture of a variety of consumer products, including home electronics, upholstered furniture, carpeting, and other items containing polyurethane foam or plastics. PBDEs have been measured in the indoor environment (Sjodin et al, 2008a; Stapleton et al, 2005), and house dust is expected to be a primary exposure pathway (Johnson et al, 2010; Johnson-Restrepo and Kannan, 2009; Lorber, 2008; Wu et al, 2007). Three commercial formulations of PBDEs have been produced, designated as penta-, octa-, and deca-BDE. These formulations consist of mixtures of specific PBDE congeners, and are named according to their degree of bromination. Penta- and octa-BDEs have been banned in Europe and phased out of production in the United States, and deca-BDE will begin phasing out in 2012 (EPA, 2009). Environmental levels of some PBDEs may be declining in response to the phase-outs, the general population continues to be exposed to all of these compounds due to their persistence and continued release from older products
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