Detection of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Samples of Second Trimester Human Amniotic Fluid

Abstract

Man-made chemicals that have been shown to modulate endocrine function in animal models, so-called "endocrine disrupters", are suspected to play a role in the development of male reproductive tract abnormalities and neurobehaviroal deficits in children. However in utero exposure to environmental contaminants has not been documented previously. The present study was performed to test our hypothesis that man-made chemicals can be quantified in human amniotic fluid during the second trimester. Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis was performed on amniotic fluid samples (n=53) from women (n=51) undergoing routine amniocentesis with a mean (+/- SEM) age of 36.5 +/- 0.5 years and between 15 and 23 weeks of gestation. Analytes included common PCB congeners, the DDT metabolites p,p'-DDE, and o,p'-DDE as well as the pesticides: hexachlorobenzene (HCB); and the three isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha,beta and gamma-HCH). The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for PCBs was 0.01 ng/ml and for the other organochlorines contaminants is was 0.1 ng/ml. The contaminants alpha-HCH with a mean (+/- SD) concentration of 0.15 +/- 0.06 (ng/ml) and p,p'-DDE with a mean (+/- SD) concentration of 0.21 +/- 0.18 ng/ml were detected in the amniotic fluid. PCB specific congeners were detected with a much lower frequency and levels were in the range of the LOQ. Overall one in three amniotic fluid samples tested positive for at least one environmental contaminant. Therefore, we conclude that approximately one in three fetuses in the Los Angeles area are exposed to endocrine modulatory environmental contaminants in utero the consequences of which remain unknown at this time.

Hypospadias and endocrine disruption: is there a connection?

“…Pregnant rats gavaged with p,p´-DDE produced pups that exhibited reduced anogenital distance (AGD), hypospadias, and cryptorchidism (58). The doses used in this study were within the range of human exposure (60,61). The authors discovered that p,p´-DDE is 1/10th as potent as flutamide, a pharmaceutical used to treat adults with prostate cancer (58).…”

“…By the time a woman reaches reproductive age, she shares her accumulation of the persistent chemicals with her offspring in the womb and through breast-feeding. For example, in 1998, p,p´-DDE was the most frequently recovered contaminant in amniotic fluid of women ≥ 35 years of age (range 0.1-0.63 ng/mL; n = 41), even though agricultural use of DDT in the United States was restricted in 1972 (60). PCBs and phytoestrogens (demonstrated estrogens) have also been recovered in amniotic fluid (60).…”

“…For example, in 1998, p,p´-DDE was the most frequently recovered contaminant in amniotic fluid of women ≥ 35 years of age (range 0.1-0.63 ng/mL; n = 41), even though agricultural use of DDT in the United States was restricted in 1972 (60). PCBs and phytoestrogens (demonstrated estrogens) have also been recovered in amniotic fluid (60). On a broader scale, a CDC nationwide survey of contaminants in urine found that women between 20 and 40 years of age had significantly higher voiding concentrations of the metabolites of DEHP (demonstrated antiandrogens) than any other cohort.…”

Occupational and Lifestyle Exposures on Male Infertility: A Mini Review

“…Analysis of maternal and fetal biological fluids have shown that xeno and phytoestrogens cross the placenta barrier into fetal circulation and that they can bioaccumulate in fetal organs, such as the brain [81]. In their study, Foster et al (2000) [81] performed analysis on amniotic fluid samples (n=53) from women (n=51) undergoing routine amniocentesis.…”

An approach to assessment of endocrine disruption in the National Children's Study.

“…Similar considerations hold for the specimens from children, for whom other hypotheses will require cord blood, urine, bloodspots at birth, and blood collection during infancy and childhood. Collection of meconium or amniotic fluid, when available, may be useful for measuring exposures, although additional developmental work is needed (Foster et al 2000;Whyatt and Barr 2001). Environmental samples obtained in the NCS-for example, to allow assessment of asthma-inducing agents-may also provide material useful in assessing exposure to potential endocrine disruptors.…”