Prolactin levels are positively correlated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in cord serum

Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCB) are global environmental contaminants that cause the disruption of endocrine and nervous systems in animals and humans. However, little evidence exists showing their potential interference with nervous system development following in utero exposure to low PCB levels. The aim of this study is to examine cord serum prolactin (PRL) levels in relation to cord blood concentrations of 14 PCB congeners in healthy women recruited during pregnancy. Our results showed a significant increase of cord serum PRL with an increasing level of PCB-153, the most prevalent PCB congener. Thus, knowing that PRL release is under inhibitory dopamine regulation, our results suggest that low level exposure to a mixture of persistent environmental contaminants could interfere with dopaminergic transmission in the fetal brain.