Association of placenta organotin concentrations with congenital cryptorchidism and reproductive hormone levels in 280 newborn boys from Denmark and Finland

Abstract

This is the first study to measure the concentrations of OTCs from human placenta samples, and to associate these concentrations to cryptorchidism. As opposite results were obtained with regard to OTC concentration in placenta and cryptorchidism status in Finland and Denmark, and no mechanism is known at the moment by which OTCs could affect testicular descent, these results cannot be generalized to other populations. However, some animal tests described in the literature show opposite effects of OTCs on fat deposition at different ranges of exposure. It is also clearly shown in the literature that TBT has an impact on sexual development of gastropods through RXR. As TBT is known to activate human RXR, further laboratory studies should be designed to explore the potential impact of TBT on male sexual development.

No association between exposure to perfluorinated compounds and congenital cryptorchidism: a nested case–control study among 215 boys from Denmark and Finland

“…To our knowledge, no studies have previously measured PFAS exposure levels in the Finnish population, either in maternal blood or in cord blood. Our findings of lower levels in the Finnish than in the Danish cord blood samples are in accordance with a previous study reporting higher levels of other potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals (organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and dioxins) in breast milk of mothers in Denmark than in that of mothers in Finland (Shen et al 2008), although levels of organotin compounds tended to be higher in Finland than in Denmark (Rantakokko et al 2013). It has been suggested that differences in exposure to chemicals with endocrine-disrupting abilities may contribute to the geographical differences in male reproductive disorders between Denmark and Finland (Skakkebaek et al 2001, Krysiak-Baltyn et al 2010.…”

Risk factors for cryptorchidism

“…Overall, the evidence regarding the association between cryptorchidism and exposure to potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals suggests a weak and inconsistent association – perhaps stronger in some contexts than others 161,162,164,169 for reasons that are not presently clear. It also remains unclear if the higher levels of compounds observed among cryptorchid boys (or their mothers) in some studies is indicative of heightened exposure to these chemicals, or indicates inability to metabolise those chemicals.…”

“…Some authors have observed higher levels of the compounds bisphenol A , 176 dibutylin 169 dioxin , 164,173 heptachloroepoxide , 174 hexachlorobenzene , 174 polychlorinated biphenyls 164,173,177 and polybrominateddiphenyl ethers 159,164 among boys (and/or their mothers) who developed cryptorchidism compared to those who did not; however a substantial number of studies (at least some of which were adequately powered to detect an association) have directly evaluated these and other biologically-plausible compounds and found no such association. 56,60,152–157,160,163,168,172,178 In some cases, studies have found substantial regional heterogeneity, including conflicting results between countries within the same study.…”

“…56,60,152–157,160,163,168,172,178 In some cases, studies have found substantial regional heterogeneity, including conflicting results between countries within the same study. 161,162,164,169 For example, Rantakokko et al 169 observed that maternal exposure to high levels (>0.15ng/g) of dibutylin was associated with increased risk of cryptorchidism in Danish sons (adjusted OR vs. <0.10ng/g: 4.01, 95% CI 1.42–11.33), but was inversely associated in Finnish sons (adjusted OR: 0.16, 95% CI 0.03–0.75).…”

Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals as a prenatal risk factor for cryptorchidism

“…A study in sons of Danish pregnant women working in greenhouses showed adverse eff ects of maternal occupational pesticide exposure on reproductive development, despite current greenhouse safeguards and special measures to protect pregnant women (41). Another study conducted more recently showed that increasing concentrations of organotin compounds, found in diet rich in fi sh products, had positive association with cryptorchidism in Denmark, unlike the opposite result in Finland (42).…”