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Lee Y, McDonald E, Gundogan F, Barry CV, Tallo V, Colt S, Friedman JF. Early-life matters: The role of fetal adrenal steroids in the relationship between cytokines within the placental circulation and cognitive development among infants in the Philippines. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:510-520. [PMID: 38431237 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to inflammation is related to the risk for cognitive impairment in offspring. However, mechanisms underlying the link between inflammatory cytokines at the maternal-fetal interface and human cognitive development are largely unknown. This study addressed this research gap by examining whether i) cytokines within the placenta are associated with different domains of neurocognitive development during infancy, and ii) if DHEA-S in cord blood mediates these associations. We also explored the role of early-life socioeconomic status (SES) in moderating the effect of fetal adrenal steroids on cognitive development in low- and middle-income country contexts. A cohort of 242 mother-infant dyads in Leyte, the Philippines participated in the study and all of them were followed from early pregnancy until 12-months. Concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the placenta, and DHEA-S in cord blood collected at delivery were evaluated. The multifactorial aspects of the infant's cognitive functioning were assessed based on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, third edition (BSID-III). We used Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with an orthogonal rotation to examine associated paths among latent variables of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the placenta, fetal neuroendocrine factors, and cognitive development. Pathway analyses showed that both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the placenta were indirectly related to cognitive (p < 0.05) and language developmental outcomes (p < 0.1) via DHEA-S in cord blood among the low SES group. Yet, we found no statistically significant indirect effect of pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines on neurocognitive development among the high SES sub-sample. This study extends our understanding of how early-life socioeconomic conditions modify biological pathways underlying the relationship between prenatal factors and postpartum cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonjin Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Sociology, Kookmin University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Emily McDonald
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Fusun Gundogan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Christopher V Barry
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States; Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Veronica Tallo
- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Susannah Colt
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Jennifer F Friedman
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States; Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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Liu J, Yang T, Li Y, Li S, Li Y, Xu S, Xia W. Associations of maternal exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid during early pregnancy with steroid hormones among one-month-old infants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169414. [PMID: 38114038 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a widely used hormonal herbicide, may disrupt steroid hormone homeostasis. However, evidence from population-based studies is limited, especially for one-month-old infants whose steroid hormones are in a state of adjustment to extrauterine life and can be important indicators of endocrine development. This study aimed to explore the associations between maternal 2,4-D exposure during early pregnancy and infant steroid hormone levels. METHODS The 885 mother-infant pairs were from a birth cohort in Wuhan, China. Maternal exposure to 2,4-D was determined in urine samples from early pregnancy, and nine steroid hormones were determined in infant urine. The associations of maternal 2,4-D exposure with infant steroid hormones and their product-to-precursor ratios were estimated based on generalized linear models, and bioinformatic analysis was conducted with public databases to explore the potential mechanisms involved. RESULTS The detection frequency of 2,4-D was 99.32 %, and the detection frequency of steroid hormones ranged from 98.42 % to 100.00 %. After adjusting for covariates, an interquartile range increase in 2,4-D concentrations was associated with a 7.84 % decrease in 11-deoxycortisol (95 % confidence interval, CI: -14.12 %, -1.10 %), an 8.09 % decrease in corticosterone (95 % CI: -14.56 %, -1.14 %), an 8.67 % decrease in cortisol (95 % CI: -14.43 %, -2.52 %), a 13.00 % decrease in cortisone (95 % CI: -20.64 %, -4.62 %), and an 11.17 % decrease in aldosterone (95 % CI: -19.62 %, -1.83 %). Maternal 2,4-D was also associated with lower infant cortisol/17α-OH-progesterone, cortisol/pregnenolone, and aldosterone/pregnenolone ratios. In bioinformatic analysis, pathways/biological processes related to steroid hormone synthesis and secretion were enriched from target genes of 2,4-D exposure. CONCLUSIONS Maternal urinary 2,4-D during early pregnancy was associated with lower infant urinary 11-deoxycortisol, corticosterone, cortisol, cortisone, and aldosterone, reflecting that 2,4-D exposure may interfere with infant steroid hormone homeostasis. Further efforts are still needed to study the relevant health effects of exposure to 2,4-D, particularly for vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangtao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tingting Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ying Li
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shulan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shunqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Plusquin M, Wang C, Cosemans C, Roels HA, Vangeneugden M, Lapauw B, Fiers T, T'Sjoen G, Nawrot TS. The association between newborn cord blood steroids and ambient prenatal exposure to air pollution: findings from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort. Environ Health 2023; 22:63. [PMID: 37674219 PMCID: PMC10483875 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01010-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of whether prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution disrupts steroidogenesis is currently lacking. We investigated the association between prenatal ambient air pollution and highly accurate measurements of cord blood steroid hormones from the androgenic pathway.This study included 397 newborns born between the years 2010 and 2015 from the ENVIRONAGE cohort in Belgium of whom six cord blood steroid levels were measured: 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone, androstenedione, and testosterone. Maternal ambient exposure to PM2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm), NO2, and black carbon (BC) were estimated daily during the entire pregnancy using a high-resolution spatiotemporal model. The associations between the cord blood steroids and the air pollutants were tested and estimated by first fitting linear regression models and followed by fitting weekly prenatal exposures to distributed lag models (DLM). These analyses accounted for possible confounders, coexposures, and an interaction effect between sex and the exposure. We examined mixture effects and critical exposure windows of PM2.5, NO2 and BC on cord blood steroids via the Bayesian kernel machine regression distributed lag model (BKMR-DLM).An interquartile range (IQR) increment of 7.96 µg/m3 in PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy trimester 3 was associated with an increase of 23.01% (99% confidence interval: 3.26-46.54%) in cord blood levels of 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, and an IQR increment of 0.58 µg/m³ in BC exposure during trimester 1 was associated with a decrease of 11.00% (99% CI: -19.86 to -0.012%) in cord blood levels of androstenedione. For these two models, the DLM statistics identified sensitive gestational time windows for cord blood steroids and ambient air pollution exposures, in particular for 17α-hydroxypregnenolone and PM2.5 exposure during trimester 3 (weeks 28-36) and for androsterone and BC exposure during early pregnancy (weeks 2-13) as well as during mid-pregnancy (weeks 18-26). We identified interaction effects between pollutants, which has been suggested especially for NO2.Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to ambient air pollutants during pregnancy interferes with steroid levels in cord blood. Further studies should investigate potential early-life action mechanisms and possible later-in-life adverse effects of hormonal disturbances due to air pollution exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Congrong Wang
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | - Harry A Roels
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | - Bruno Lapauw
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom Fiers
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy T'Sjoen
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
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Koskivuori J, Voutilainen R, Storvik M, Häkkinen MR, Uusitalo L, Keski-Nisula L, Backman K, Auriola S, Lehtonen M. Comparative steroid profiling of newborn hair and umbilical cord serum highlights the role of fetal adrenals, placenta, and pregnancy outcomes in fetal steroid metabolism. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 232:106357. [PMID: 37390977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2023.106357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Previous steroid hormone studies concerning pregnancy and newborns have mainly focused on glucocorticoids; wider steroid profiles have been less commonly investigated. Here, we performed a comparative analysis of 17 steroids from newborn hair and umbilical cord serum at the time of delivery. The study participants (n = 42, 50% girls) were a part of the Kuopio Birth Cohort and represent usual Finnish pregnancies. The hair and cord serum samples were analyzed with liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry and triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. We detected high individual variations in steroid hormone concentrations in both sample matrices. The concentrations of cortisol (F), corticosterone (B), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 11β-hydroxyandostenedione (11bOHA4), 5α-androstanedione (DHA4), and 17α-hydroxypregnenolone (17OHP5) correlated positively between cord serum and newborn hair samples. In addition, F and 11bOHA4 concentrations correlated positively with each other in both newborn hair and cord serum samples. The cortisone-to-cortisol ratio (E/F) was significantly higher in cord serum than in newborn hair samples reflecting high placental 11βHSD2 enzyme activity. Only minor sex differences in steroid concentrations were observed; higher testosterone (T) and 11-deoxycortisol (S) with lower 11bOHA4 in male cord serum, and higher DHEA, androstenedione (A4) and 11bOHA4 in female newborn hair samples. Parity and delivery mode were the most significant pregnancy- and birth-related parameters associating with F and some other adrenocortical steroid concentrations. This study provides novel information about intrauterine steroid metabolism in late pregnancy and typical concentration ranges for several newborn hair steroids, including also 11-oxygenated androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Koskivuori
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1B, 70210 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Raimo Voutilainen
- Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, 70029 Kuopio, Finland; Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Markus Storvik
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1B, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Merja R Häkkinen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1B, 70210 Kuopio, Finland; Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Neulaniementie 4, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Lauri Uusitalo
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Leea Keski-Nisula
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Katri Backman
- Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, 70029 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Auriola
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1B, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Marko Lehtonen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1B, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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Association between prenatal androgens and cord blood androgens, a path analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:380. [PMID: 36611054 PMCID: PMC9825367 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25531-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To determine association paths between prenatal androgens and cord blood androgens. The concentrations of T, FT, DHT, DHEA and SHBG in prenatal venous blood and cord blood were measured in 342 pregnant women and their neonates. The association paths between these hormones in prenatal and cord blood were revealed using Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression and path analysis. CB-T, CB-FT and CB-DHT in male neonates were higher than those in female neonates. In male and female neonates, P-FT was lower than CB-FT; however, P-DHT and P-SHBG were higher than CB-DHT and CB-SHBG, respectively. P-DHEA was lower than CB-DHEA in female newborns. In male neonates, there were association paths of P-T → CB-T → CB-FT → CB-DHT, P-T → CB-FT → CB-DHT, P-T → P-FT → CB-FT → CB-DHT, P-T → P-DHT, CB-DHEA → CB-DHT, CB-DHEA → P-DHT, and CB-DHEA → P-DHEA. In female neonates, there were association paths of P-T → CB-T → CB-FT → CB-DHT, P-T → P-FT → CB-FT → CB-DHT, P-T → P-FT → P-DHT, P-T → P-DHT, P-DHEA → P-DHT, CB-DHEA → P-DHEA, and CB-DHEA → CB-FT. There were differences in the T, FT and DHT concentrations in cord blood between male and female neonates and in the FT, DHT, DHEA, and SHBG concentrations between prenatal and cord blood. P-T and P-FT concentrations were positively associated with CB-T and CB-FT concentrations, while CB-DHEA concentration was positively associated with P-DHEA concentration.
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Pourquet A, Teoli J, Bouty A, Renault L, Roucher F, Mallet D, Rigaud C, Dijoud F, Mouriquand P, Mure PY, Sanlaville D, Ecochard R, Plotton I. Steroid profiling in the amniotic fluid: reference range for 12 steroids and interest in 21-hydroxylase deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 108:e129-e138. [PMID: 36402139 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Determination of steroid levels in the amniotic fluid gives some insight on foetal adrenal and gonadal functions. Our objectives were to establish reference ranges of 12 steroid levels throughout pregnancy and to compare them with steroid levels from pregnancies with foetuses presenting 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD). MATERIALS AND METHODS Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was applied to 145 "control" amniotic fluid samples from gynaecology activity (12 + 6 to 32 + 4 Gestational Weeks, GW). The following steroids were analysed according to gestational age and compared to 23 amniotic fluid samples from foetuses with classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency confirmed by molecular studies: delta-4-androstenedione (D4), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), 11-deoxycortisol (11OH), 21-deoxycortisol (21OH), corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone (DOC), testosterone, pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone (17Pregn), cortisol and cortisone. Chromosomal sex was determined by karyotype and gestational age by biometric measurements. RESULTS Analysis of "control" samples showed a statistically significant difference for D4 and testosterone levels according to foetal sex. Cortisol, corticosterone, and DOC had lower concentrations before 20 GW than after 20 GW, whereas 17Pregn and pregnenolone had higher concentrations before 20 GW. This allowed us to establish age- and sex-dependant reference values. We observed higher 21OH, 17Pregn, D4 and testosterone levels in females 21OHD than female controls. The ratios 17OHP/17Pregn, D4/DHEA and 11OH/17OHP appeared discriminant for the diagnosis of 21OHD. CONCLUSION Our study provides information on foetal steroidogenesis and suggests reference values for 12 steroids during pregnancy. This allows a prenatal diagnosis of 21-hydroxylase deficiency within 24 hours and might be useful in the diagnosis of other variations of sex development (VSD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Pourquet
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
| | - Jordan Teoli
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
| | - Aurore Bouty
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
| | - Lucie Renault
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
| | - Florence Roucher
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
| | - Delphine Mallet
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
| | - Chantal Rigaud
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Frédérique Dijoud
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
| | - Pierre Mouriquand
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
| | - Pierre-Yves Mure
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
| | - Damien Sanlaville
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
| | - René Ecochard
- Department of Biostatistics, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
| | - Ingrid Plotton
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University
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Chavira-Suárez E, Reyes-Castro LA, López-Tenorio II, Vargas-Hernández L, Rodríguez-González GL, Chavira R, Zárate-Segura P, Domínguez-López A, Vadillo-Ortega F, Zambrano E. Sex-differential RXRα gene methylation effects on mRNA and protein expression in umbilical cord of the offspring rat exposed to maternal obesity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:892315. [PMID: 36072345 PMCID: PMC9442673 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.892315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal obesity (MO) induces negative consequences in the offspring development. Adiposity phenotype is associated with maternal diet at early pregnancy and DNA methylation marks in the RXRα promotor at birth. Glucocorticoids play an important role in the regulation of metabolism through the activation of nuclear hormone receptors such as the RXRα protein. The aim of the study was to analyze steroid hormone changes at the end of pregnancy in the obese mother and RXRα gene methylation in the umbilical cord. For this purpose, in a well-established MO model, female Wistar rats were fed either standard chow (controls: C) or high-fat obesogenic diet (MO) before and during pregnancy to evaluate at 19 days of gestation (19 dG): 1) maternal concentration of circulating steroid hormones in MO and C groups, 2) maternal and fetal weights, 3) analysis of correlation between hormones concentration and maternal and fetal weights, 4) DNA methylation status of a single locus of RXRα gene near the early growth response (EGR-1) protein DNA binding site, and 5) RXRα mRNA and protein expressions in umbilical cords. Our results demonstrate that at 19 dG, MO body weight before and during pregnancy was higher than C; MO progesterone and corticosterone serum concentrations were higher and estradiol lower than C. There were not differences in fetal weight between male and female per group, therefore averaged data was used; MO fetal weight was lower than C. Positive correlations were found between progesterone and corticosterone with maternal weight, and estradiol with fetal weight, while negative correlation was observed between corticosterone and fetal weight. Additionally, male umbilical cords from MO were hypermethylated in RXRα gene compared to male C group, without differences in the female groups; mRNA and protein expression of RXRα were decreased in F1 male but not in female MO compared to C. In conclusion, MO results in dysregulation of circulating steroid hormones of the obese mothers and low fetal weight in the F1, modifying DNA methylation of RXRα gene as well as RXRα mRNA and protein expression in the umbilical cord in a sex-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Chavira-Suárez
- Unidad de Vinculación Científica de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México en el Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City, México
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico City, México
| | - Luis Antonio Reyes-Castro
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, México
| | - Itzel Ivonn López-Tenorio
- Unidad de Vinculación Científica de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México en el Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City, México
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, México
| | - Lilia Vargas-Hernández
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, México
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, México
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Hospital de Ginecología y Obstetricia No. 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala, Mexico City, México
| | - Guadalupe L. Rodríguez-González
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, México
| | - Roberto Chavira
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, México
| | - Paola Zárate-Segura
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, México
| | | | - Felipe Vadillo-Ortega
- Unidad de Vinculación Científica de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México en el Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City, México
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico City, México
| | - Elena Zambrano
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, México
- *Correspondence: Elena Zambrano,
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Yuan TF, Wang ST, Le J, Li Y. Steroid profile analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in second-trimester pregnant women for trisomy 21 screening. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 197:113966. [PMID: 33618134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.113966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trisomy 21 is a serious chromosome abnormality. The conventional Down's screening test is the most widely used for trisomy 21 screening. However, this method could lead to a higher false positive rate. Therefore, we aim to analyze steroid profile in second-trimester pregnant women and identify novel serum biomarkers of trisomy 21. METHODS We employed an LC-MS/MS method to measure the steroid profile. The concentrations and product-to-substrate ratios in 71 second-trimester pregnant women were determined and statistically analyzed to identify novel biomarkers for trisomy 21 screening. RESULTS We found that there were significant differences in levels of E3, 11-deoxycortisol, and 11-deoxycortisol /17-hydroxyprogesterone between two groups. The OPLS-DA plots revealed obvious separation between two groups. Combining VIP analysis (VIP > 1.0) with volcano plot (P < 0.05 and fold change >1.2 or < 0.83), 11-deoxycortisol was identified as a novel biomarker for trisomy 21. After controlling for confounders, we found 11-deoxycortisol was associated with trisomy 21 (adjusted P = 0.009), and the fully adjusted OR (95 % CI) was 0.098 (0.016-0.593) in highest quartile versus lowest quartile of 11-deoxycortisol (P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Steroid profile analysis for the first time showed that steroid hormones perturbations occurred in pregnant women carrying a fetus affected by trisomy 21 and decreased 11-deoxycortisol levels were associated with trisomy 21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng-Fei Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shao-Ting Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Juan Le
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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Boll LM, Khamirchi R, Alonso L, Llurba E, Pozo ÓJ, Miri M, Dadvand P. Prenatal greenspace exposure and cord blood cortisol levels: A cross-sectional study in a middle-income country. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 144:106047. [PMID: 32822928 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to greenspace has been associated with reduced stress; however, the available evidence on such an association for the fetus is still very scarce. We, for the first time, investigated the association between maternal greenspace exposure and the level of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the cord blood. Our study was based on a cohort of 150 pregnant women in Sabzevar, Iran (2018). We comprehensively assessed greenspace exposure for each participant through (i) residential surrounding greenspace (using two satellite-derived vegetation indices), (ii) residential proximity to green spaces, (iii) maternal visual access to greenspace, (iv) use of public and private green spaces, (v) having a private garden, and (vi) the number of plant pots at home. Linear regression models were developed to assess the association of each indicator of greenspace exposure with cord blood cortisol levels, controlled for the relevant covariates. We observed that a higher residential surrounding greenspace (100 m buffer), having a window with greenspace view, window greenspace coverage of more than 50%, frequently looking at greenspace through window, residential proximity to large green spaces, and more time spent in green spaces were associated with lower cortisol levels in the cord blood. The findings for residential surrounding greenspace at 300 m and 500 m buffers, residential proximity to any green space regardless of its size, having a private garden, and number of plant pots at home were not conclusive. While about one-third of the association between residential surrounding greenspace (100 m buffer) could be mediated through reduction in exposure to air pollution, we did not observe any strong evidence for such a mediatory role for the visual access to greenspace. The findings stratified for parental education and housing type showed mixed patterns. Our findings suggest that more greenspace exposure might reduce cortisol level in the cord blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Marie Boll
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Ramezanali Khamirchi
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Lucia Alonso
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain Maternal and Child Health Development Network, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Llurba
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Santa Creu i Sant Pau Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain; Maternal and Child Health Development Network II (SAMID II) RD16/0022/0015SEP, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Óscar J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Group, IMIM, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mohammad Miri
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.
| | - Payam Dadvand
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain Maternal and Child Health Development Network, Madrid, Spain.
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Liu H, Pan Y, Jin S, Li Y, Zhao L, Sun X, Cui Q, Zhang B, Zheng T, Xia W, Zhou A, Campana AM, Dai J, Xu S. Associations of per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances with glucocorticoids and progestogens in newborns. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 140:105636. [PMID: 32474218 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can disrupt endocrine hormones in humans. Prior studies have focused on the harmful effects of the two traditional per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Other PFASs, used as the replacements of PFOS and PFOA, are widely and increasingly detected in humans. Whether these replacements influence glucocorticoids and progestogens in newborns remains unknown. OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations between exposures of PFOS, PFOA and their replacements and glucocorticoids and progestogens in newborns. METHODS We measured the concentrations of 13 PFASs, 3 glucocorticoids (11-deoxycortisol, cortisol and cortisone) and 2 progestogens [progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP)] in the cord sera of 374 neonates in a birth cohort from Wuhan, China, between 2013 and 2014. We evaluated the associations of each PFAS with glucocorticoids and progestogens using multiple linear regression models, and multiple comparisons were additionally corrected via false discovery rates (FDR). RESULTS Out of the 13 PFASs, 9 were detected in over 95% of cord sera. The Chinese specific PFOS replacement - 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA, trade name F-53B) was positively associated with 13.13% change in cortisol in girls (95% CI = 4.47%, 22.52%, for each IQR increase in 6:2 Cl-PFESA). Seven PFASs had positive associations with the precursor of cortisol, namely 11-deoxycortisol (percent change ranged from 6.41% to 11.24%, for each IQR increase in PFASs). Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) in cord sera was positively associated with progesterone in the linear model, whereas PFOS and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) levels were associated with progesterone in the quartile models. No PFASs were related to 17OHP or cortisone. CONCLUSIONS In this study, PFOS, PFOA and/or their replacements were positively associated with progesterone, cortisol and 11-deoxycortisol in newborns. These results suggested that not only PFOS and PFOA, but also other PFASs have potential impacts on glucocorticoids and progestogens in newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yitao Pan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Shuna Jin
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China
| | - Liuqing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China
| | - Xiaojie Sun
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China
| | - Qianqian Cui
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Women and Children Medical and Healthcare Center of Wuhan, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China
| | - Tongzhang Zheng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States
| | - Wei Xia
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China
| | - Aifen Zhou
- Women and Children Medical and Healthcare Center of Wuhan, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China
| | | | - Jiayin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.
| | - Shunqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, PR China.
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11
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High binding site occupancy of corticosteroid-binding globulin by progesterone increases fetal free cortisol concentrations. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020; 251:129-135. [PMID: 32502768 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) binds and transports cortisol in the circulation in high cortisol-binding affinity (haCBG) and low affinity (laCBG) forms, the latter resulting from enzyme cleavage to target cortisol delivery at sites of inflammation. CBG also has substantial progesterone binding affinity, 3-fold less than cortisol. Progesterone and cortisol are important in the maintenance of pregnancy and in fetal development, respectively. The interactions of cortisol, progesterone and CBG affinity forms have not been studied together. We examined the interaction between progesterone and cortisol with CBG during fetal development. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort analysis of 351 neonates born between January and December 2012 at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia. Cord blood serum samples were collected immediately following delivery. Clinical data was provided by hospital records. Total cortisol, free cortisol, total progesterone, total CBG and haCBG were measured by immunoassay. RESULTS Cord blood total and free cortisol, and progesterone concentrations increased with gestational age. Cord blood progesterone concentrations were 100-fold luteal and 10-fold those in late pregnancy maternal circulation. The proportion of haCBG to total CBG was similar to that in healthy non-pregnant adults. However, free cortisol comprised approximately 15% of total cortisol, 3-fold higher than that in adults. CONCLUSION In a manner unique to fetal life, very high progesterone concentrations are capable of elevating free cortisol concentrations through competition with cortisol at CBG's hormone binding site, without altered binding affinity through CBG cleavage or altered CBG hormone-binding affinity. High circulating fetal progesterone concentrations compete for CBG binding with cortisol, leading to a 3-fold increase in the free cortisol fraction in cord blood. Higher free-to-bound cortisol may alter fetal cortisol distribution facilitating cortisol's roles such as neurodevelopment in concert with dehydroepiandrosterone (sulfate) and lung maturation, or support cortisol action at times of low ambient cortisol. This mechanism may underlie the known association between cortisol, progesterone and CBG, and be relevant principally in the fetal circulation due to the high progesterone concentrations encountered.
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12
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Abstract
Pregnancy is associated with physiological adjustments in order to allow adequate growth and fetal development. In particular, steroids are necessary to maintain in balance numerous functions during gestation. Steroidogenesis in the maternal, placental and fetal compartments and the biological effects of progestins and estrogens that play a pivotal role before and during pregnancy are described. Although it is well-known that androgens are considered as substrate for estrogens biosynthesis, their biosynthesis and functionality in placental and other tissues have been questioned. As compared with healthy pregnancy, steroid hormones levels have been found altered in complicated pregnancies and hormonal treatments have been used is some pathologies. Therefore, the aim of this work was to review the biosynthesis, function and regulation of progestins, androgens and estrogens during gestation. Furthermore, steroid hormones concentrations during healthy and complicated pregnancy as well hormonal therapies for the prevention of miscarriages and preterm deliveries are discussed in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Noyola-Martínez
- a Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción , Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , D.F. México , México
| | - Ali Halhali
- a Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción , Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , D.F. México , México
| | - David Barrera
- a Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción , Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , D.F. México , México
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13
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Kozłowska A, Jagielska AM, Okręglicka KM, Oczkowski M, Przekop D, Szostak-Węgierek D, Nitsch-Osuch A, Wielgoś M, Bomba-Opoń D. Maternal Nutritional and Water Homeostasis as a Presage of Fetal Birth Weight. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1176:89-99. [PMID: 31134553 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2019_389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Birth weight is a key determinant of perinatal outcomes which affect physical development and metabolic function. In this study, we evaluated the potential role of maternal body composition and nutritional status in programing fetal birth weight. This was a longitudinal study that included 29 pregnant women and their full-term newborns. Maternal dietary energy and fluid intake and body adipose tissue were assessed. In addition, we measured the serum content of copeptin, aldosterone, and angiotensin II in maternal and umbilical cord blood. The measurements were done across the three trimesters of pregnancy, on average, at 11.6 weeks, 18.3 weeks, and 30.2 weeks. Each newborn's birth weight was determined at the percentile line, using the World Health Organization (WHO) standards based on the gestational age, gender, and weight. We found no appreciable relation of fetal birth weight to the maternal dietary and fluid intakes, and the content of angiotensin II, aldosterone, or copeptin. However, birth weight correlated with increases in body adipose tissue in early pregnancy stages. Further, birth weight correlated positively with copeptin and adversely with angiotensin II in cord blood. We conclude that the present findings may be helpful in the assessment of a critical level of body adipose tissue in women of child-bearing age, above which the potential risk of macrosomia appears. The female population of child-bearing age needs a continual update on the nutritional knowledge to prevent modifiable maternal and fetal perinatal complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Kozłowska
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, First Faculty of Medicine, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna M Jagielska
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, First Faculty of Medicine, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna M Okręglicka
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, First Faculty of Medicine, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Oczkowski
- Department of Dietetics, Chair of Nutritional Physiology, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Damian Przekop
- Institute of Econometrics, Warsaw School of Economics, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Szostak-Węgierek
- Department of Clinical Dietetics, Faculty of Health Science, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aneta Nitsch-Osuch
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, First Faculty of Medicine, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mirosław Wielgoś
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Bomba-Opoń
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
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14
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Sun X, Li J, Jin S, Li Y, Liu W, Zhao H, Zhou Y, Jiang Y, Liu H, Xia W, Cai Z, Xu S, Shen X. Associations between repeated measures of maternal urinary phthalate metabolites during pregnancy and cord blood glucocorticoids. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:471-479. [PMID: 30278310 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that phthalates might disrupt fetal steroidogenesis. However, the evidence of the effects of prenatal phthalate exposure across pregnancy on fetal glucocorticoids was insufficient. OBJECTIVE We investigated the associations between urinary phthalate metabolites across pregnancy and cord blood glucocorticoids in a prospective birth cohort. METHODS Our study included 553 mother-infant pairs from a prospective birth cohort conducted in Wuhan, China. Maternal urine samples were collected at 14, 24 and 36 weeks of gestation (mean). Urinary phthalate metabolites and cord blood glucocorticoids (cortisol and cortisone) were measured. Generalized estimating equation models were conducted to explore the relationships of phthalate metabolite concentrations at each trimester and glucocorticoid levels. RESULTS Among the participants, mono‑benzyl phthalate (MBzP) in the first trimester was associated with higher cortisol/cortisone ratio concentrations, and mono‑(2‑ethyl‑5‑carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) and mono‑(2‑ethyl‑5‑oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) measured in the third trimester were associated with decreased cortisone. Moreover, the associations between phthalates and glucocorticoids varied by sex. Among the female infants, each 10-fold increase in several maternal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in 1st and 3rd trimester was associated with the increased glucocorticoid levels with percent changes ranged from 16.2%-55.9%. However, among male infants, each 10-fold increase in maternal urinary MECPP, mono‑(2‑ethyl‑5‑hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and MEOHP in 3rd trimester was associated with 20.8%-36.3% decreased cortisol and cortisone levels, respectively. CONCLUSION We have shown that prenatal phthalate exposure during early and late trimester disrupted the infant steroidogenesis and these associations might be modified by infant sex. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate phthalate exposure at three trimesters during pregnancy in relation to infant glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Jiufeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shuna Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Wenyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Hongzhi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yanqiu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yangqian Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Hongxiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zongwei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shunqing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Xiantao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Environment Health (Incubation), Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (Wuhan), Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China.
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