Prenatal organochlorine pesticide exposure and the disruption of steroids and reproductive hormones in cord blood: The Hokkaido study

Abstract

Certain organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are designated as persistent organic pollutants and are regulated in many countries. The effects of OCPs on pediatric endocrinology are a concern; however, only limited data exist from human studies on maternal OCP exposure and its effects on infants' hormone levels. This study was conducted as part of the Hokkaido Study Sapporo Cohort, a prospective birth cohort study in Japan. Participants included 514 women who enrolled at 23-35weeks of gestation between 2002 and 2005; maternal blood samples were collected in late pregnancy, and 29 OCPs were measured. Reproductive and steroid hormone levels in cord blood were also determined. Characteristics of mothers and their infants were obtained from self-administered questionnaires and medical records. Ultimately, 232 samples with both OCP and hormone data were analyzed. Fifteen of 29 investigated OCPs were detected in over 80% of the samples, with p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene showing the highest concentration (median value: 619pg/g-wet). The association between OCPs and sex hormone levels varied by sex. Linear regression models after sex stratification showed that chlordanes, cis-hexachlorobenzene, heptachlor epoxide, Mirex, and toxaphenes in maternal blood were inversely associated with testosterone, cortisol, cortisone, sex hormone-binding globin, prolactin, and androstenedione-dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone-androstenediones ratios among boys. Furthermore, these OCPs were positively correlated with DHEA, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and adrenal androgen-glucocorticoid and FSH-inhibin B ratios among boys. In categorical quartile models, testosterone and DHEA were inversely and positively associated with OCPs, respectively. Estradiol-testosterone and adrenal androgen-glucocorticoid ratios tended to increase with increasing OCP concentrations in the higher quartile, while the testosterone-androstenedione ratio tended to decrease. Sex hormone-binding globulin and prolactin showed an inverse association with OCPs. Among girls, the linear regression model showed that only p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane was inversely associated with the level of DHEA and the adrenal androgen-glucocorticoid ratio, but was positively associated with cortisone levels. However, no associations were observed using the quartile categorical model. These results suggest that prenatal exposure to OCPs disrupt reproductive hormones of fetuses in utero among boys, even at relatively low levels.

Hokkaido birth cohort study on environment and children’s health: cohort profile 2021

“…Sex hormone-binding globulin and prolactin (PRL) showed an inverse association with the OCPs. Among females, the linear regression model showed that only p,p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane was negatively associated with the level of DHEA and the adrenal androgen/glucocorticoid ratio, but was positively associated with cortisone levels [ 48 ]. Maternal PFOS levels had a significantly positive association with estradiol (E2), but a negative association with T/E2, progesterone (P4), and inhibin B.…”

Distribution of 58 Semi-Volatile Organic Chemicals in the Gas Phase and Three Particle Sizes in Indoor Air and House Dust in Residential Buildings During the Hot Season in Japan

“…32) Moreover, prenatal DEHP exposure is reported to induce some adverse effects such as the disruption of adrenal androgens, glucocorticoids levels, IgE levels, and adipokine levels in cord blood, low birth weight and allergies and infectious diseases up to seven years of age. [33][34][35] Ait Bamai et al reported the median concentration of DiNP in floor dust taken from 128 houses in Japan was 140 μg/g, with a maximum concentration of 2,100 μg/g. 36) In addition, we reported the median concentration of DiNP in house dust taken from houses in Japan was 140 μg/g, with a maximum of 2,300 μg/g.…”

Exposure to DDT and HCH congeners and associated potential health risks through khat (Catha edulis) consumption among adults in South Wollo, Ethiopia

“…Ethiopia was also a signatory of this convention. Organochlorine pesticides generally increase the production of free radicals in the human body, and on the other hand decrease the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes, which leads to oxidative stress (Kumar et al 2010;Araki et al 2018). A recent case control study demonstrated the alterations in oxidative capacity among members of farmworkers exposed to a mixture of OCPs in Iran (Abbasi-Jorjandi et al 2020).…”