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Al-Saleh I, Elkhatib R, Alghamdi R, Alrushud N, Alnuwaysir H, Alnemer M, Aldhalaan H, Shoukri M. Phthalate exposure during pregnancy and its association with thyroid hormones: A prospective cohort study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 261:114421. [PMID: 39002474 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Phthalate esters (PAEs) possess endocrine-disrupting properties. Studies in humans have indicated that in utero phthalate exposure affects maternal thyroid hormones, which are essential for fetal growth and development. However, these studies also reported inconsistent results on the relationship between phthalates and thyroid hormones. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess phthalate exposure across the three trimesters of pregnancy and its association with thyroid hormone levels. From 2019 to 2022, we recruited 672 pregnant women, and two urine samples and one blood sample were collected from each participant during the pregnancy. We examined the urine samples from 663, 335, and 294 women in the first, second, and third trimester, respectively, for the following seven phthalate metabolites: monoethyl phthalate (MEP) from diethyl phthalate (DEP); mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP) from dibutyl phthalate (DBP); monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) from butyl benzyl phthalate; and three di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP). Additionally, we examined the levels of free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and total triiodothyronine (TT3) in the serum samples of the following participants: 596, 627, and 576 in the first trimester; 292, 293, and 282 in the second trimester; and 250, 250, and 248 in the third trimester, respectively. Other than MBzP, which was detected in 25%-33% of the samples, other metabolites were detectable in >86% of urine samples, indicating widespread exposure to DEP, DBP, and DEHP. The detected phthalate exposure levels in our cohort were significantly higher than those reported in other countries. Metabolite levels varied across the trimesters, implying changes in exposure and metabolism throughout pregnancy. The observed variability in urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites, which ranged from poor to moderate, underscores the importance of taking multiple measurements during pregnancy for precise exposure assessment. Using a linear mixed model, we analyzed the effects of repeated phthalate exposure on thyroid hormone levels while adjusting for potential confounders. We observed significant linear trends in FT4, TSH, and, to a lesser extent, TT3 across quartiles of specific phthalate metabolites. Comparing the highest to the lowest quartiles, we found a significant increase in FT4 levels, ranging from 2 to 3.7%, associated with MEP; MECPP; MEHHP; and the sum of seven metabolites (∑7PAE), three DEHP metabolites (∑3DEHP), two DBP metabolites (∑DBP), and both low molecular weight (∑LMW) and high molecular weight metabolites. Increased TSH levels (5%-16%) were observed for all phthalate metabolites (except MEHHP) and their molar sums, including ∑7PAE. For TT3, a significant increase was observed with MEP (2.2%) and a decrease was observed with ∑DBP (-2.7%). A higher TSH/FT4 ratio was observed with the highest quartiles (third or fourth) of several phthalate metabolites: MEP (8.8%), MiBP (8.7%), MnBP (22.2%), ∑7PAE (15.3%), ∑DBP (16.4%), and ∑LMW (18.6%). These hormonal alterations, most notably in the second and third trimesters, suggest that phthalate exposure may impact fetal growth and development by affecting maternal thyroid function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Al-Saleh
- Environmental Health Program, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Rola Elkhatib
- Environmental Health Program, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reem Alghamdi
- Environmental Health Program, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nujud Alrushud
- Environmental Health Program, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hissah Alnuwaysir
- Environmental Health Program, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maha Alnemer
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hesham Aldhalaan
- Center for Autism Research, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohamed Shoukri
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Alahmadi H, Martinez S, Farrell R, Bikienga R, Arinzeh N, Potts C, Li Z, Warner GR. Mixtures of phthalates disrupt expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling in mouse granulosa cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.02.592217. [PMID: 38746167 PMCID: PMC11092572 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.02.592217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Phthalates are a class of known endocrine disrupting chemicals that are found in common everyday products. Several studies associate phthalate exposure with detrimental effects on ovarian functions, including growth and development of the follicle and production of steroid hormones. We hypothesized that dysregulation of the ovary by phthalates may be mediated by phthalate toxicity towards granulosa cells, a major cell type in ovarian follicles responsible for key steps of hormone production and nourishing the developing oocyte. To test the hypothesis that phthalates target granulosa cells, we harvested granulosa cells from adult CD-1 mouse ovaries and cultured them for 96 hours in vehicle control, a phthalate mixture, or a phthalate metabolite mixture (0.1-100 μg/mL). After culture, we measured metabolism of the phthalate mixture into monoester metabolites by the granulosa cells, finding that granulosa cells do not significantly contribute to ovarian metabolism of phthalates. Immunohistochemistry of phthalate metabolizing enzymes in whole ovaries confirmed that these enzymes are not strongly expressed in granulosa cells of antral follicles and that ovarian metabolism of phthalates likely occurs primarily in the stroma. RNA sequencing of treated granulosa cells identified 407 differentially expressed genes, with overrepresentation of genes from lipid metabolic processes, cholesterol metabolism, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathways. Expression of significantly differentially expressed genes related to these pathways were confirmed using qPCR. Our results agree with previous findings that phthalates and phthalate metabolites have different effects on the ovary and interfere with PPAR signaling in granulosa cells.
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Levasseur JL, Hoffman K, Zhang S, Cooper EM, Stapleton HM. Monitoring human exposure to four parabens and triclosan: comparing silicone wristbands with spot urine samples as predictors of internal dose. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024:10.1038/s41370-024-00663-0. [PMID: 38704446 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-024-00663-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People are exposed to a variety of chemicals each day as a result of their personal care product (PCP) use. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to determine if silicone wristbands provide a quantitative estimate of internal dose for phenols commonly associated with PCPs, with a focus on triclosan and four parabens: methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butylparaben. Uptake of these compounds into wristbands and correlations with internal dose were assessed. METHODS Ten adults from central North Carolina wore five silicone wristbands, with one wristband removed each day for 5 days. Each participant provided a 24 h urine sample and a random spot urine sample each day, in which paraben and triclosan metabolites were evaluated. RESULTS All parabens and triclosan were detected frequently in wristbands and, except for butylparaben, in urine samples. Wristband and spot urine concentrations of parabens and triclosan were both compared to a measurement of internal dose (i.e., the total metabolite mass excreted over 5 days as a measurement of internal dose). IMPACT STATEMENT The two most hydrophobic compounds investigated, butylparaben and triclosan, displayed significant linear uptake in wristbands over 5 days, whereas concentrations of methyl- and ethylparaben displayed a steady state concentration. In general, wristbands and spot urine samples were similarly correlated to internal dose for frequently detected parabens and triclosan. However, wristbands have additional advantages including higher detection rates and reduced participant burden that may make them more suitable tools for assessing exposure to PCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kate Hoffman
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sharon Zhang
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ellen M Cooper
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Varde M, Newman RB, Wenzel AG, Kucklick JR, Wineland RJ, Brock JW, Bloom MS. Racial disparities affect the association between gestational urinary phthalate mixtures and infant genital measures. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 5:1304725. [PMID: 38146361 PMCID: PMC10749323 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2023.1304725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Phthalates are ubiquitous anti-androgenic endocrine disrupting chemicals found in personal care products, medications, and many plastics. Studies have shown a racial disparity in phthalates exposure among U.S. women, which may also impact fetal development. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of gestational exposure to a phthalates mixture in a racially-diverse population to determine their association with genital development. Mid-gestation (18-22 weeks) urine was collected from 152 women who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black and 158 women who self-identified as non-Hispanic White in Charleston, South Carolina between 2011 and 2014. We measured eight phthalate monoester metabolites in urine using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. Mid-gestational penile dimensions were measured using ultrasound and anogenital distances were measured postnatally. We used Bayesian kernel machine regression to estimate the associations among the mixture of phthalate metabolites and mid-gestation penile dimensions and postnatal anogenital distance measures among singleton male (n = 179) and female (n = 131) infants, adjusted for urinary specific gravity, maternal age, body mass index, education level, cigarette smoking, and gestational age at enrollment or birth weight z-score. Results We found a stronger association between greater phthalates and decreased anopenile distance among infants born to women who self-identified as Black. Mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) was the driving mixture component among Black women, and monobutyl phthalate (MBP) and monoethyl phthalate (MEP) were drivers among White women. We also identified a non-linear association between phthalates and lesser ultrasound penile volume among women who self-identified as Black with monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP) and MBP being most important. We also found an association between greater phthalates and shorter anoclitoral distance among infants born to women who self-identified as Black, with MEP and monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) contributing most to this association. Conclusion Our results suggest a disparity in the association between gestational exposure to a mixture of phthalates and fetal genital development among women who self-identified as Black compared to White.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghana Varde
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
| | - Roger B. Newman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Abby G. Wenzel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - John R. Kucklick
- Hollings Marine Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Rebecca J. Wineland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - John W. Brock
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, NC, United States
| | - Michael S. Bloom
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
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Shukla R, Arshee MR, Laws MJ, Flaws JA, Bagchi MK, Wagoner Johnson AJ, Bagchi IC. Chronic exposure of mice to phthalates enhances TGF beta signaling and promotes uterine fibrosis. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 122:108491. [PMID: 37863342 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are synthetic chemicals widely used as plasticizers and stabilizers in various consumer products. Because of the extensive production and use of phthalates, humans are exposed to these chemicals daily. While most studies focus on a single phthalate, humans are exposed to a mixture of phthalates on a regular basis. The impact of continuous exposure to phthalate mixture on uterus is largely unknown. Thus, we conducted studies in which adult female mice were exposed for 6 months to 0.15 ppm and 1.5 ppm of a mixture of phthalates via chow ad libitum. Our studies revealed that consumption of phthalate mixture at 0.15 ppm and 1.5 ppm for 6 months led to a significant increase in the thickness of the myometrial layer compared to control. Further investigation employing RNA-sequencing revealed an elevated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling in the uteri of mice fed with phthalate mixture. TGF-β signaling is associated with the development of fibrosis, a consequence of excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components, such as collagen fibers in a tissue. Consistent with this observation, we found a higher incidence of collagen deposition in uteri of mice exposed to phthalate mixture compared to unexposed controls. Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging showed disorganized collagen fibers and nanoindentation indicated a local increase in uterine stiffness upon exposure to phthalate mixture. Collectively, our results demonstrate that chronic exposure to phthalate mixture can have adverse effects on uterine homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritwik Shukla
- Departments of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Mahmuda R Arshee
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Mary J Laws
- Departments of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Departments of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Milan K Bagchi
- Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Amy J Wagoner Johnson
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Indrani C Bagchi
- Departments of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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Safar AM, Santacruz-Márquez R, Laws MJ, Meling DD, Liu Z, Kumar TR, Nowak RA, Raetzman LT, Flaws JA. Dietary exposure to an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture alters follicle dynamics, hormone levels, ovarian gene expression, and pituitary gene expression in female mice. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 122:108489. [PMID: 37839492 PMCID: PMC10873030 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are chemicals ubiquitously used in industry. Individual phthalates have been found to adversely affect female reproduction; however, humans are exposed to a mixture of phthalates daily, primarily through ingestion. Previous studies show that exposure to an environmentally relevant mixture of phthalates (Mix) can affect female reproduction. Little research, however, has been conducted on the effects of short-term (1 month) and long-term (6 months) exposure to Mix on ovarian functions. Thus, this study tested the hypothesis that short-term and long-term exposure to Mix alters ovarian folliculogenesis, serum hormone concentrations, pituitary gene expression, and ovarian expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and oxidative stress. Adult CD-1 female mice were exposed to vehicle control (corn oil) or Mix (0.15-1500 ppm) in the chow for 1 or 6 months. Exposure to Mix for 1 month increased the number of atretic follicles (0.15 ppm), altered ovarian gene expression (0.15 ppm, 1500 ppm), and decreased serum testosterone (1.5 ppm) compared to control. Exposure to Mix for 6 months increased serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (0.15 ppm), decreased serum luteinizing hormone (LH) (0.15 ppm, 1.5 ppm, and 1500 ppm), decreased serum estradiol (1500 ppm), altered pituitary gene expression (1500 ppm), increased the number (1500 ppm) and percentage (1.5 ppm and 1500 ppm) of primordial follicles, and decreased the percentage of preantral (1500 ppm) and antral (1.5 ppm and 1500 ppm) follicles compared to control. These data indicate that exposure to Mix can alter folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis, and gene expression in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adira M Safar
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - Mary J Laws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Daryl D Meling
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zhenghui Liu
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - T Rajendra Kumar
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Romana A Nowak
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Lori T Raetzman
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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Siddiq S, Clemons AM, Meeker JD, Gennings C, Rauh V, Leisher SH, Llanos AAM, McDonald JA, Wylie BJ, Factor-Litvak P. Predictors of Phthalate Metabolites Exposure among Healthy Pregnant Women in the United States, 2010-2015. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7104. [PMID: 38063534 PMCID: PMC10706567 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20237104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Phthalate use and the concentrations of their metabolites in humans vary by geographic region, race, ethnicity, sex, product use and other factors. Exposure during pregnancy may be associated with detrimental reproductive and developmental outcomes. No studies have evaluated the predictors of exposure to a wide range of phthalate metabolites in a large, diverse population. We examined the determinants of phthalate metabolites in a cohort of racially/ethnically diverse nulliparous pregnant women. We report on urinary metabolites of nine parent phthalates or replacement compounds-Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), Diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), Diethyl phthalate (DEP), Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), D-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), Di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHTP), Di-n/i-butyl phthalate (DnBP), Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) and Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) from urine collected up to three times from 953 women enrolled in the Nulliparous Mothers To Be Study. Phthalate metabolites were adjusted for specific gravity. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to identify the predictors of each metabolite. Overall predictors include age, race and ethnicity, education, BMI and clinical site of care. Women who were Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic or Asian, obese or had lower levels of education had higher concentrations of selected metabolites. These findings indicate exposure patterns that require policies to reduce exposure in specific subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnaz Siddiq
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (A.M.C.); (A.A.M.L.); (P.F.-L.)
| | - Autumn M. Clemons
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (A.M.C.); (A.A.M.L.); (P.F.-L.)
| | - John D. Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Chris Gennings
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Virginia Rauh
- Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Susannah Hopkins Leisher
- Stillbirth Research Program, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Adana A. M. Llanos
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (A.M.C.); (A.A.M.L.); (P.F.-L.)
| | - Jasmine A. McDonald
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (A.M.C.); (A.A.M.L.); (P.F.-L.)
| | - Blair J. Wylie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Pam Factor-Litvak
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (A.M.C.); (A.A.M.L.); (P.F.-L.)
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Laws MJ, Meling DD, Deviney ARK, Santacruz-Márquez R, Flaws JA. Long-term exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, and a mixture of phthalates alters estrous cyclicity and/or impairs gestational index and birth rate in mice. Toxicol Sci 2023; 193:48-61. [PMID: 36929940 PMCID: PMC10176245 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Phthalates are found in plastic food containers, medical plastics, and personal care products. However, the effects of long-term phthalate exposure on female reproduction are unknown. Thus, this study investigated the effects of long-term, dietary phthalate exposure on estrous cyclicity and fertility in female mice. Adult female CD-1 mice were fed chow containing vehicle control (corn oil) or 0.15-1500 ppm of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), or a mixture of phthalates (Mix) containing DEHP, DiNP, benzyl butyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, and diethyl phthalate. Measurements of urinary phthalate metabolites confirmed effective delivery of phthalates. Phthalate consumption for 11 months did not affect body weight compared to control. DEHP exposure at 0.15 ppm for 3 and 5 months increased the time that the mice spent in estrus and decreased the time the mice spent in metestrus/diestrus compared to control. DiNP exposure (0.15-1500 ppm) did not significantly affect time in estrus or metestrus/diestrus compared to control. Mix exposure at 0.15 and 1500 ppm for 3 months decreased the time the mice spent in metestrus/diestrus and increased the time the mice spent in estrus compared to control. DEHP (0.15-1500 ppm) or Mix (0.15-1500 ppm) exposure did not affect fertility-related indices compared to control. However, long-term DiNP exposure at 1500 ppm significantly reduced gestational index and birth rate compared to control. These data indicate that chronic dietary exposure to phthalates alters estrous cyclicity, and long-term exposure to DiNP reduces gestational index and birth rate in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary J Laws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
| | - Daryl D Meling
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
| | - Ashley R K Deviney
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
| | - Ramsés Santacruz-Márquez
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
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9
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Boyer TM, Bommarito PA, Welch BM, Meeker JD, James-Todd T, Cantonwine DE, McElrath TF, Ferguson KK. Maternal exposure to phthalates and total gestational weight gain in the LIFECODES birth cohort. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 117:108354. [PMID: 36841368 PMCID: PMC10073336 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Excessive gestational weight gain contributes to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Environmental exposures such as phthalates may lead to metabolic dysregulation, and studies suggest possible associations between maternal phthalate exposure and altered gestational weight gain. We assessed the association between nine maternal phthalate metabolites and measures of total gestational weight gain (pre-pregnancy to median 35.1 weeks of gestation) in a case-control study nested within LIFECODES (N = 379), a prospective birth cohort from Boston, Massachusetts (2006-2008). Our primary outcome was total gestational weight gain z score, a measure independent of gestational age that can provide a less biased estimate of this association. Our secondary outcomes were total gestational weight gain, rate of gestational weight gain, and adequacy ratio. The results were stratified by pre-pregnancy body mass index category. We found that concentrations of mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) were positively associated with total gestational weight gain z scores among participants with obesity: adjusted mean difference (95% Confidence Interval [CI]) = 0.242 (0.030 - 0.455) and 0.105 (-0.002 - 0.212) corresponding to an excess weight gain of 1.81 kg and 0.77 kg at 35 weeks of gestation per interquartile range-increase in MCPP and MBP, respectively. Also, among participants with obesity, MBP demonstrated a potential non-linear relationship with gestational weight gain in cubic spline models. These findings suggest that phthalates may be related to higher gestational weight gain, specifically, among individuals with pre-pregnancy obesity. Future research should investigate whether pregnant people with obesity represent a subpopulation with sensitivity to phthalate exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M Boyer
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Paige A Bommarito
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Barrett M Welch
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - John D Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tamarra James-Todd
- Departments of Environmental Health and Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David E Cantonwine
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas F McElrath
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kelly K Ferguson
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Durham, NC, USA
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10
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Geiger SD, Musaad S, Hill J, Aguiar A, Schantz S. Sex-specific associations between urinary bisphenols concentrations during pregnancy and problematic child behaviors at age 2 years. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2023; 96:107152. [PMID: 36642394 PMCID: PMC10170945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Effects of prenatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure on child behavior are mixed with some reports suggesting increased problematic behaviors in girls (e.g., aggression and emotional reactivity) and in boys (i.e., externalizing behaviors), while other reports suggest decreased problematic behaviors in girls. Little is known about the potential impact of pregnancy bisphenol S (BPS) exposure on child behavior. In a prospective cohort study (n = 68), five maternal spot urine samples collected across pregnancy were pooled and analyzed for BPA and BPS. Child behavior at 2 years was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Linear regression models were used to assess associations between bisphenols concentrations and both composite and syndrome CBCL scales. Exposure x child sex interactions were included in addition to their main effects and sex-stratified analyses were conducted. Models were adjusted for maternal age, number of siblings, and child age at CBCL intake. Mean maternal age was 29.7 years. Most women were White (88%), had an annual household income ≥$50,000 (66%), and at least a college degree (81%). Median concentrations were 1.3 ng/mL (range 0.4-7.2) for BPA and 0.3 ng/mL (range 0.1-3.5) for BPS. Sex modified the relationship between BPA and scores on several syndrome scales-anxious-depressed, aggressive, and sleep problems-where the association was consistently inverse in males in lower BPA concentrations, and positive (more reported behavior problems) among girls in the higher BPA group. Higher BPS was associated with more problematic internalizing behaviors among girls but not boys, and sex modified the relationship between BPS and emotionally reactive behaviors (Pinteraction = 0.128), with sex-specific estimates revealing more emotionally reactive behaviors among girls (expβ = 3.92 95% CI 1.16, 13.27; P = 0.028) but not boys. Findings were mixed overall, but one notable finding was that BPS, a replacement for BPA, was associated with increased problematic behaviors. There is a need for replication of findings due to our small sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Dee Geiger
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States of America; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States of America.
| | - Salma Musaad
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Hill
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States of America
| | - Andréa Aguiar
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States of America; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Susan Schantz
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States of America; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States of America
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11
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Roggeman M, Gys C, Klimowska A, Bastiaensen M, Wielgomas B, Ait Bamai Y, Covaci A. Reviewing the variability in urinary concentrations of non-persistent organic chemicals: evaluation across classes, sampling strategies and dilution corrections. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114332. [PMID: 36116496 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Various biomonitoring studies have been carried out to investigate the exposure of populations by measuring non-persistent organic chemicals in urine. To accurately assess the exposure, study designs should be carefully developed to maximise reproducibility and achieve good characterization of the temporal variability. To test these parameters, the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) are calculated from repeated measurements and range from poor (<0.4) to excellent (≥0.75). Several studies have reported ICCs based on diverse study designs, but an overview, including recommendations for future studies, was lacking. Therefore, this review aimed to collect studies describing ICCs of non-persistent organic chemicals, discuss variations due to study design and formulate recommendations for future studies. More than 60 studies were selected, considering various chemical classes: bisphenols, pyrethroids, parabens, phthalates, alternative plasticizers and phosphate flame retardants. The variation in ICCs for an individual chemical was high (e.g. ICC of propyl paraben = 0.28-0.91), showing the large impact of the study design and of the specific exposure sources. The highest ICCs were reported for parabens (median = 0.52), while lowest ICCs were for 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (median = 0.08) and bisphenol A (median = 0.20). Overall, chemicals that had an exposure source with high variation, such as the diet, showed lower ICCs than those with more stable exposure sources, such as indoor materials. Urine correction by specific gravity had an overall positive effect on reducing the variability of ICCs. However, this effect was mostly seen in the adult population, while specific compounds showed less variation with creatinine correction. Single samples might not accurately capture the exposure to most non-persistent organic chemicals, especially when small populations are sampled. Future studies that examine compounds with low ICCs should take adequate measures to improve accuracy, such as correcting dilution with specific gravity or collecting multiple samples for one participant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Roggeman
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium
| | - Celine Gys
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium
| | - Anna Klimowska
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium; Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. Hallera 107, Gdańsk, 80-416, Poland
| | - Michiel Bastiaensen
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium
| | - Bartosz Wielgomas
- Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. Hallera 107, Gdańsk, 80-416, Poland
| | - Yu Ait Bamai
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium; Hokkaido University Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium.
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12
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Chen WJ, Robledo C, Davis EM, Goodman JR, Xu C, Hwang J, Janitz AE, Garwe T, Calafat AM, Peck JD. Assessing urinary phenol and paraben mixtures in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus: A case-control study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113897. [PMID: 35839910 PMCID: PMC9514543 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies have identified the associations between environmental phenol and paraben exposures and increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but no study addressed these exposures as mixtures. As methods have emerged to better assess exposures to multiple chemicals, our study aimed to apply Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to evaluate the association between phenol and paraben mixtures and GDM. This study included 64 GDM cases and 237 obstetric patient controls from the University of Oklahoma Medical Center. Mid-pregnancy spot urine samples were collected to quantify concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), benzophenone-3, triclosan, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between individual chemical biomarkers and GDM while controlling for confounding. We used probit implementation of BKMR with hierarchical variable selection to estimate the mean difference in GDM probability for each component of the phenol and paraben mixtures while controlling for the correlation among the chemical biomarkers. When analyzing individual chemicals using logistic regression, benzophenone-3 was positively associated with GDM [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) per interquartile range (IQR) = 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15, 2.08], while BPA was negatively associated with GDM (aOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.37, 0.99). In probit-BKMR analysis, an increase in z-score transformed log urinary concentrations of benzophenone-3 from the 10th to 90th percentile was associated with an increase in the estimated difference in the probability of GDM (0.67, 95% Credible Interval 0.04, 1.30), holding other chemicals fixed at their medians. No associations were identified between other chemical biomarkers and GDM in the BKMR analyses. We observed that the association of BPA and GDM was attenuated when accounting for correlated phenols and parabens, suggesting the importance of addressing chemical mixtures in perinatal environmental exposure studies. Additional prospective investigations will increase the understanding of the relationship between benzophenone-3 exposure and GDM development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jen Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Candace Robledo
- Department of Population Health and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - Erin M Davis
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jean R Goodman
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Chao Xu
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jooyeon Hwang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Amanda E Janitz
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Tabitha Garwe
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jennifer D Peck
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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13
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Liu H, Wang Y, Kannan K, Liu M, Zhu H, Chen Y, Kahn LG, Jacobson MH, Gu B, Mehta-Lee S, Brubaker SG, Ghassabian A, Trasande L. Determinants of phthalate exposures in pregnant women in New York City. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113203. [PMID: 35358547 PMCID: PMC9232940 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have provided data on determinants of phthalates in pregnant women, but results were disparate across regions. We aimed to identify the food groups and demographic factors that predict phthalate exposure in an urban contemporary pregnancy cohort in the US. The study included 450 pregnant women from the New York University Children's Health and Environment Study in New York City. Urinary concentrations of 22 phthalate metabolites, including metabolites of di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), were determined at three time points across pregnancy by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The Diet History Questionnaire II was completed by pregnant women at mid-pregnancy to assess dietary information. Linear mixed models were fitted to examine determinants of urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations. Using partial-linear single-index (PLSI) models, we assessed the major contributors, among ten food groups, to phthalate exposure. Metabolites of DEHP and its ortho-phthalate replacement, diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), were found in >90% of the samples. The sum of creatinine-adjusted DiNP metabolite concentrations was higher in older and single women and in samples collected in summer. Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black women had lower urinary concentrations of summed metabolites of di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), but higher concentrations of low molecular weight phthalates compared with non-Hispanic White women. Each doubling of grain products consumed was associated with a 20.9% increase in ∑DiNP concentrations (95%CI: 4.5, 39.9). PLSI models revealed that intake of dried beans and peas was the main dietary factor contributing to urinary ∑DEHP, ∑DiNP, and ∑DnOP levels, with contribution proportions of 76.3%, 35.8%, and 27.4%, respectively. Urinary metabolite levels of phthalates in pregnant women in NYC varied by age, marital status, seasonality, race/ethnicity, and diet. These results lend insight into the major determinants of phthalates levels, and may be used to identify exposure sources and guide interventions to reduce exposures in susceptible populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, Hubei, PR China; Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yuyan Wang
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mengling Liu
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hongkai Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Linda G Kahn
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melanie H Jacobson
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bo Gu
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shilpi Mehta-Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sara G Brubaker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Akhgar Ghassabian
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; NYU Wagner School of Public Service, New York, NY, USA; NYU College of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA
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14
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Lan L, Wan Y, Qian X, Wang A, Mahai G, He Z, Li Y, Xu S, Zheng T, Xia W. Urinary paraben derivatives in pregnant women at three trimesters: Variability, predictors, and association with oxidative stress biomarkers. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 165:107300. [PMID: 35635959 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to parabens has been shown to increase oxidative stress, which has a vital impact on the development of numerous diseases. However, few studies reported the effects of the paraben derivatives on oxidative stress, particularly among pregnant women. This study, using repeated measurements, aimed to understand the exposure profiles of urinary paraben derivative concentrations and their relationships with oxidative stress biomarkers (OSBs). A total of 861 pregnant women, who provided spot urine samples at three trimesters, were included, and 2583 urine samples were used to measure four paraben derivatives [p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-HB), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-DHB), methyl protocatechuate, and ethyl protocatechuate], four parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl), and three OSBs [8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (for DNA), 8-hydroxyguanosine (for RNA), and 4-hydroxy nonenal mercapturic acid (for lipid)]. Pregnant women were extensively exposed to parabens and paraben derivatives with detection frequencies (DFs) of 86.1%-100%, except for butylparaben with a DF of 14.9%. p-HB and 3,4-DHB had relatively high urinary concentrations (specific gravity-adjusted median values: 1394 and 74.5 ng/mL, respectively). Low reproducibility in paraben derivatives was found across the three trimesters. Sampling season, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and infant sex were predictors of some paraben derivatives/parabens. Linear mixed model analyses showed that all target compounds (if DF > 50%) were associated with increases in all the selected OSBs, where the percent change in OSBs with an interquartile range increase in paraben concentration ranged from 9.85% to 24.7%, while those in paraben derivative concentration ranged from 13.8% to 72.1%. Weighted quantile sum model showed that joint exposure was significantly associated with increased OSBs, and paraben derivatives were stronger contributors to OSBs compared with parabens. Overall, urinary paraben derivatives were associated with increased oxidative stress of nucleic acids and lipid in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Lan
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
| | - Yanjian Wan
- Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430024, PR China.
| | - Xi Qian
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
| | - Aizhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
| | - Gaga Mahai
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
| | - Zhenyu He
- Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430024, PR China.
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
| | - Shunqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
| | - Tongzhang Zheng
- School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
| | - Wei Xia
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
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15
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Gonsioroski AV, Aquino AM, Alonso-Costa LG, Barbisan LF, Scarano WR, Flaws JA. Multigenerational Effects of an Environmentally Relevant Phthalate Mixture on Reproductive Parameters and Ovarian miRNA Expression in Female Rats. Toxicol Sci 2022; 189:91-106. [PMID: 35762964 PMCID: PMC9801715 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals used in many consumer products. Our laboratory previously developed an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture consisting of 6 phthalates and found that it disrupted female fertility in mice. However, it was unknown if maternal exposure to the mixture affects reproductive parameters and ovarian post-transcription in the F1 and F2 generation of female rats. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that maternal exposure to the phthalate mixture affects folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis, and ovarian microRNA (miRNA) in the F1 and F2 generations of female rats. Pregnant female rats were divided into 4 groups and orally dosed daily from gestational day 10 to postnatal day 21 with corn oil (control group), 20 μg/kg/day, 200 μg/kg/day, or 200 mg/kg/day of the phthalate mixture. Maternal exposure to the phthalate mixture impaired folliculogenesis in the F1 and F2 generations of female rats and affected steroidogenesis in the F1 generation of female rats compared to control. Further, the phthalate mixture altered ovarian expression of some genes related to the cell cycle and steroidogenesis compared to control in the F1 and F2 generations of female rats. The mixture also increased ovarian expression of rno-mir-184 that is involved with the oocyte maturation process. Collectively, our data show that maternal exposure to the phthalate mixture affects folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis in the F1 and F2 generations of female rats and alters ovarian miRNA expression in the F1 generation of female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luiz G Alonso-Costa
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Luis F Barbisan
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Wellerson R Scarano
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, 2001 S. Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61802, USA. E-mail:
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16
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Wei M, Wang P, Wan Y, Jiang Y, Song W, He Z, Wang Q. Urinary parabens and their derivatives associated with oxidative stress biomarkers in children from South and Central China: Repeated measures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 817:152639. [PMID: 34971688 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies implied that elevated exposure to parabens may result in increased oxidative stress. However, the association between exposure to paraben derivatives and oxidative stress biomarkers in children has been rarely studied. This study examined the associations between exposure to paraben derivatives and oxidative stress biomarkers in Chinese children. Nine targeted compounds of parabens and their derivatives including methyl paraben (MeP), ethyl paraben (EtP), propyl paraben (PrP), butyl paraben (BuP), p-hydrox4ybenzoic acid (p-HB), 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid (3,4-DHB), benzoic acid, methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (rOH-MeP), and ethyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (rOH-EtP) were detected in urine collected from 139 children from South and Central China. Additionally, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG), and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal mercapturic acid (HNE-MA) were measured as oxidative stress biomarkers. All targeted compounds (except for BuP) were frequently detected in urine (detection frequencies ranged 80.8%-100%). Linear mixed effects model revealed that all targeted compounds (with detection frequencies >50%), except for EtP, were significantly associated with an increase in 8-OHdG. rOH-EtP was found to be significantly associated with 8-OHG (β = 0.12; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.08, 0.16) positively. In addition, PrP and benzoic acid were associated with elevated levels of HNE-MA. Weighted quantile sum regression revealed that co-exposure to the targeted compounds was positively associated with 8-OHdG (β = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.22), 8-OHG (β = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.18), and HNE-MA (β = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.59); rOH-EtP and benzoic acid were the major contributors for the combined effects on oxidative stress of nucleic acids and lipid, respectively. Our findings provide new evidence for the effects of exposure to paraben derivatives on nucleic acid oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhong Wei
- MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Pei Wang
- Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430024, PR China
| | - Yanjian Wan
- Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430024, PR China.
| | - Ying Jiang
- Nanshan District Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518054, PR China
| | - Wenjing Song
- MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Zhenyu He
- Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430024, PR China
| | - Qi Wang
- MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
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17
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Xu L, Hu Y, Zhu Q, Liao C, Jiang G. Several typical endocrine-disrupting chemicals in human urine from general population in China: Regional and demographic-related differences in exposure risk. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127489. [PMID: 34689090 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous in the environment, and human exposure to these pollutants has caused great public concern. Five groups of EDCs, including parabens, antimicrobials (triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC)), bisphenols (BPs), tetrabromobisphenol A and its alternatives (TBBPAs), and benzophenones, in urines of general populations from three cities with different economic levels in China were determined simultaneously to evaluate the coexposure levels of such chemicals. The total concentration of target compounds was approximately two times higher in the urines from Chengdu (a first-tier city; geometric mean: 2.50 μg/L) than that from Nantong (a second-tier city; 1.34 μg/L), and was one order of magnitude higher than that from Shehong (a fifth-tier city; 0.73 μg/L). Urinary target compounds were significantly correlated with gender, age, body mass index (BMI), education level, occupation, and diet. The estimated daily intakes of target chemicals ranged from 0.002 (benzophenones) to 10.2 µg/kg-bw/day (parabens). The exposure estimate showed that females were more vulnerable to exposure to these EDCs. This study profiles the regional and demographic-related differences in the concentrations and exposure risks of several typical EDCs in urines from general populations in three cities with different economic levels in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longyao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qingqing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chunyang Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430056, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430056, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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18
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Shin HM, Oh J, Kim K, Busgang SA, Barr DB, Panuwet P, Schmidt RJ, Picciotto IH, Bennett DH. Variability of Urinary Concentrations of Phenols, Parabens, and Triclocarban during Pregnancy in First Morning Voids and Pooled Samples. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:16001-16010. [PMID: 34817155 PMCID: PMC8858442 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Urinary concentrations of phenols, parabens, and triclocarban have been extensively used as biomarkers of exposure. However, because these compounds are quickly metabolized and excreted in urine, characterizing participants' long-term average exposure from a few spot samples is challenging. To examine the variability of urinary concentrations of these compounds during pregnancy, we quantified four phenols, four parabens, and triclocarban in 357 first morning voids (FMVs) and 203 pooled samples collected during the second and third trimesters of 173 pregnancies. We computed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) by the sample type (FMV and pool) across two trimesters and by the number of composite samples in pools, ranging from 2 to 4, within the same trimester. Among the three compounds detected in more than 50% of the samples, the ICCs across two trimesters were higher in pools (0.29-0.68) than in FMVs (0.17-0.52) and the highest ICC within the same trimester was observed when pooling either two or three composites. Methyl paraben and propyl paraben primarily exposed via cosmetic use had approximately 2-3 times higher ICCs than bisphenol A primarily exposed via diet. Our findings support that within-subject pooling of biospecimens can increase the reproducibility of pregnant women's exposure to these compounds and thus could potentially minimize exposure misclassification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
- Corresponding author: Hyeong-Moo Shin, Ph.D., Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, 500 Yates Street, Box 19049, Arlington, TX, 76019, ; Voice: 949-648-1614
| | - Jiwon Oh
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Kyunghoon Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea
| | - Stefanie A. Busgang
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Parinya Panuwet
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rebecca J. Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis (UC Davis), California, USA
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopment Disorders) Institute, UC Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Irva Hertz Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis (UC Davis), California, USA
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopment Disorders) Institute, UC Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Deborah H. Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis (UC Davis), California, USA
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19
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Gill S, Brehm E, Leon K, Chiu J, Meling DD, Flaws JA. Prenatal exposure to an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture alters ovarian steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis in the F1 generation of adult female mice. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 106:25-31. [PMID: 34597818 PMCID: PMC8643306 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Phthalates are a family of chemicals that can be found in plastic and personal care products used by consumers every day and they are known endocrine disrupting chemicals that can disrupt female reproduction. In previous studies, an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture was shown to affect female reproduction in a transgenerational manner. However, limited information was available on the effect of phthalate mixtures on ovarian steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis. Ovarian steroidogenesis is important for producing hormones needed for reproduction and ovarian regulation, and folliculogenesis is essential for the development of ovarian follicles and successful fertility. Thus, this study tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture adversely affects ovarian steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis in the F1 generation of adult female mice. Pregnant dams (F0 generation) were orally dosed with vehicle control or a phthalate mixture (20 μg/kg/day-500 mg/kg/day) daily from gestational day 10 to birth, and the adult F1 females were the offspring of the dosed dams. The ovaries of the F1 generation were collected at postnatal day 60. One ovary was used for histological examination of the numbers and percent of different follicle types. The other ovary was used to measure expression of theca and granulosa cell enzymes. Additionally, sera were collected for measuring hormone levels. The results indicate that prenatal exposure to the phthalate mixture decreases hormone levels and gene expression, alters the transitioning of follicle types, and leads to a higher incidence of atresia in the F1 generation offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Gill
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Emily Brehm
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Kathleen Leon
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Justin Chiu
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Daryl D Meling
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States.
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20
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Brehm E, Flaws JA. Prenatal exposure to a mixture of phthalates accelerates the age-related decline in reproductive capacity but may not affect direct biomarkers of ovarian aging in the F1 generation of female mice. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2021; 7:dvab010. [PMID: 34707890 PMCID: PMC8543146 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are used in many consumer products, leading to daily human exposure. Although many studies focus on single phthalates, humans are exposed to mixtures of phthalates. Our laboratory created a phthalate mixture consisting of six different phthalates and found that it negatively affected female reproduction and accelerated some biomarkers of reproductive aging. However, it was unknown if prenatal exposure to the mixture accelerates the natural decline in reproductive capacity and ovarian aging in mice. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to a phthalate mixture accelerates the age-related decline in reproductive capacity and biomarkers of ovarian aging in the F1 generation of mice. Pregnant CD-1 dams were orally dosed with control or phthalate mixture (20 µg/kg/day-200 mg/kg/day) daily from gestational day 10-birth. The F1 female pups were aged to 11-13 months, and then estrous cyclicity and breeding trials were conducted at 11 and 13 months. Ovaries were collected from the F1 females at 13 months to examine biomarkers of ovarian aging. Prenatal exposure to the phthalate mixture decreased the time the F1 females spent in proestrus and the ability of the F1 females to give birth at 11 and 13 months of age compared to control. In contrast, prenatal exposure to the mixture did not affect biomarkers of direct aging of the ovary in the F1 generation. Collectively, our data show that prenatal phthalate mixture exposure accelerates the natural age-related decline in reproductive capacity but may not affect some biomarkers of ovarian aging in the F1 generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Brehm
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave. Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave. Urbana, IL 61802, USA
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21
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Lee S, Karvonen-Gutierrez C, Mukherjee B, Herman WH, Harlow SD, Park SK. Urinary concentrations of phenols and parabens and incident diabetes in midlife women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Environ Epidemiol 2021; 5:e171. [PMID: 34934892 PMCID: PMC8683147 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental phenols have been suggested as diabetogens but evidence from prospective cohort studies is limited. We examined associations between urinary concentrations of phenols and parabens, assessed at two time-points, and incident diabetes in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). METHODS We examined 1,299 women, aged 45-56 years, who were diabetes-free at baseline of the SWAN Multi-Pollutant Study (MPS) (1999-2000) and were followed through January 2017. Urinary concentrations of bisphenol-A, bisphenol-F, triclosan, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, benzophenone-3, methyl-paraben, ethyl-paraben, propyl-paraben, and butyl-paraben were measured twice at MPS baseline and 3 years later (2002-2003), and the two average concentrations were used as exposure variables. Associations of incident diabetes with individual phenols and parabens were examined using Cox regression. We evaluated the overall joint effects using quantile-based g-computation. RESULTS Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for incident diabetes of the third tertile compared with the first tertile of urinary concentrations were 0.40 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.29, 0.56) for methyl-paraben; 0.42 (0.30, 0.58) for propyl-paraben; 0.53 (0.38, 0.75) for 2,5-diclrorophenol; and 0.55 (0.39, 0.80) for benzophenone-3. Nonlinear associations were found for bisphenol-A and 2,4-dichlorophenol (significant positive associations in the second tertile but no associations in the third tertile compared with the first tertile). No significant associations were observed for the other individual chemicals or the joint effect of mixtures. CONCLUSIONS Our findings do not support diabetogenic effects of urinary parabens which were inversely associated with incident diabetes among mid-life women. Epidemiologic findings for biomarkers with short half-lives and high within-person variability need to be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seulbi Lee
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - William H. Herman
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Siobán D. Harlow
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sung Kyun Park
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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22
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Warner GR, Dettogni RS, Bagchi IC, Flaws JA, Graceli JB. Placental outcomes of phthalate exposure. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 103:1-17. [PMID: 34015474 PMCID: PMC8260441 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Proper placental development and function relies on hormone receptors and signaling pathways that make the placenta susceptible to disruption by endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as phthalates. Here, we review relevant research on the associations between phthalate exposures and dysfunctions of the development and function of the placenta, including morphology, physiology, and genetic and epigenetic effects. This review covers in vitro studies, in vivo studies in mammals, and studies in humans. We also discuss important gaps in the literature. Overall, the evidence indicates that toxicity to the placental and maternal-fetal interface is associated with exposure to phthalates. Further studies are needed to better elucidate the mechanisms through which phthalates act in the placenta as well as additional human studies that assess placental disruption through pregnancy with larger sample sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genoa R Warner
- Dept of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - Indrani C Bagchi
- Dept of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Dept of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Jones B Graceli
- Dept of Morphology, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil
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23
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Warner GR, Meling DD, De La Torre KM, Wang K, Flaws JA. Environmentally relevant mixtures of phthalates and phthalate metabolites differentially alter the cell cycle and apoptosis in mouse neonatal ovaries†. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:806-817. [PMID: 33511402 PMCID: PMC8023422 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used as additives in various consumer products, medical equipment, and personal care products. Phthalates and their metabolites are consistently detected in humans, indicating widespread and continuous exposure to multiple phthalates. Thus, environmentally relevant mixtures of phthalates and phthalate metabolites were investigated to determine the effects of phthalates on the function of the ovary during the neonatal period of development. Neonatal ovaries from CD-1 mice were cultured with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO; vehicle control), phthalate mixture (0.1-100 μg/mL), or phthalate metabolite mixture (0.1-100 μg/mL). The phthalate mixture was composed of 35% diethyl phthalate, 21% di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, 15% dibutyl phthalate, 15% diisononyl phthalate, 8% diisobutyl phthalate, and 5% benzylbutyl phthalate. The phthalate metabolite mixture was composed of 37% monoethyl phthalate, 19% mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, 15% monobutyl phthalate, 10% monoisononyl phthalate, 10% monoisobutyl phthalate, and 8% monobenzyl phthalate. After 96 h of culture, ovaries were harvested for histological analysis of folliculogenesis, gene expression analysis of cell cycle and apoptosis regulators, and immune staining for cell proliferation and apoptosis. The metabolite mixture significantly decreased the number and percentage of abnormal follicles (100 μg/mL) compared to controls. The metabolite mixture also significantly increased the expression of cell cycle inhibitors (100 μg/mL) and the antiapoptotic factor Bcl2l10 (10 μg/mL) compared to controls. The phthalate mixture did not significantly alter gene expression or follicle counts, but ovaries exposed to the phthalate mixture (0.1 μg/mL) exhibited marginally significantly increased apoptosis as revealed by DNA fragmentation staining. Overall, these data show that parent phthalates and phthalate metabolites differentially impact ovarian function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genoa R Warner
- Department of Comparative Bioscience, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Daryl D Meling
- Department of Comparative Bioscience, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kathy M De La Torre
- Department of Comparative Bioscience, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Karen Wang
- Department of Comparative Bioscience, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Bioscience, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
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24
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Brehm E, Zhou C, Gao L, Flaws JA. Prenatal exposure to an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture accelerates biomarkers of reproductive aging in a multiple and transgenerational manner in female mice. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 98:260-268. [PMID: 33129917 PMCID: PMC7736276 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Phthalates are known endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are found in many consumer products. Our laboratory previously developed a relevant phthalate mixture consisting of six phthalates and found that it disrupted female fertility in mice. However, it is unknown if prenatal exposure to phthalate mixtures can accelerate reproductive aging and if this occurs in multiple generations. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to a mixture of phthalates accelerates biomarkers of reproductive aging in multiple generations of female mice. Pregnant CD-1 mice were orally dosed with vehicle control or a phthalate mixture (20 μg/kg/day-500 mg/kg/day) daily from gestational day 10 to birth. Adult F1 females born to these dams were used to create the F2 and F3 generations by mating them with unexposed males. At 13 months, estrous cyclicity was monitored and ovaries and sera were collected for analysis. In the F1 generation, the mixture decreased testosterone and inhibin B levels, but increased follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels compared to control. In the F2 generation, the phthalate mixture decreased the percent of antral follicles and testosterone hormone levels compared to control. In the F3 generation, prenatal exposure to the phthalate mixture increased ovarian weight, increased the time in metestrus/diestrus, altered follicle numbers, and decreased the levels of luteinizing hormone compared to control. Collectively, these data suggest that prenatal exposure to a phthalate mixture may accelerate several biomarkers of reproductive aging in a multi- and transgenerational manner in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Brehm
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Changqing Zhou
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Liying Gao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States.
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25
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Rattan S, Flaws JA. The epigenetic impacts of endocrine disruptors on female reproduction across generations†. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:635-644. [PMID: 31077281 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans and animals are repeatedly exposed to endocrine disruptors, many of which are ubiquitous in the environment. Endocrine disruptors interfere with hormone action; thus, causing non-monotonic dose responses that are atypical of standard toxicant exposures. The female reproductive system is particularly susceptible to the effects of endocrine disruptors. Likewise, exposures to endocrine disruptors during developmental periods are particularly concerning because programming during development can be adversely impacted by hormone level changes. Subsequently, developing reproductive tissues can be predisposed to diseases in adulthood and these diseases can be passed down to future generations. The mechanisms of action by which endocrine disruptors cause disease transmission to future generations are thought to include epigenetic modifications. This review highlights the effects of endocrine disruptors on the female reproductive system, with an emphasis on the multi- and transgenerational epigenetic effects of these exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saniya Rattan
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
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26
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Ponsonby AL, Symeonides C, Saffery R, Mueller JF, O'Hely M, Sly PD, Wardrop N, Pezic A, Mansell T, Collier F, Burgner D, Thompson K, Vijayasarathy S, Sugeng EJ, Dwyer T, Ranganathan S, Anderson PJ, Anderson V, Vuillermin P. Prenatal phthalate exposure, oxidative stress-related genetic vulnerability and early life neurodevelopment: A birth cohort study. Neurotoxicology 2020; 80:20-28. [PMID: 32479765 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal phthalate chemicals may have adverse effects on brain development by various mechanisms including oxidant damage. However, birth cohort findings have been conflicting. This study aimed to (i) investigate the interplay between maternal prenatal phthalate levels, infant genetic vulnerability to oxidative stress, and child neurodevelopment and (ii) examine combined putative oxidant exposures. In a population-based birth cohort of 1064 women with prenatal recruitment in Victoria, Australia, maternal urine was collected at 36 weeks of pregnancy and phthalate metabolite concentrations measured. An unweighted genetic score for oxidative stress was made using a candidate gene approach. Cognition was assessed using the BAYLEY-III at two years (n = 678). Parents completed questionnaires for doctor diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (1.4 %), ASD traits (4.9 %) and child inattention/hyperactivity (n = 791). Analyses included multiple linear and logistic regression. Higher prenatal phthalate levels and a higher oxidative stress genetic score were each associated with subsequent ASD. Several oxidative stress-related SNPs modified the association between prenatal phthalates and ASD and other outcomes. Consistent patterns were evident across gene score-phthalate combinations for cognition, ASD, ASD traits and inattention/hyperactivity. Other putative oxidant factors such as prenatal smoking further increased risk. Prenatal phthalate levels and infant oxidative stress-related genetic vulnerability are associated with adverse neurodevelopment. Combined exposures are important. Current recommendations and regulation on maternal phthalate exposure during pregnancy require re-evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Louise Ponsonby
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Christos Symeonides
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- The Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Science, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Martin O'Hely
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter D Sly
- Children's Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia; WHO Collaborating Centre for Children's Health and Environment, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicole Wardrop
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Angela Pezic
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Toby Mansell
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona Collier
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia; Barwon Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Burgner
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kristie Thompson
- The Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Science, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Soumini Vijayasarathy
- The Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Science, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Eva J Sugeng
- Department of Environment and Health, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Terence Dwyer
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; The George Institute for Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sarath Ranganathan
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter J Anderson
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vicki Anderson
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Vuillermin
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia; Barwon Health, Victoria, Australia
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Li K, Liszka M, Zhou C, Brehm E, Flaws JA, Nowak RA. Prenatal exposure to a phthalate mixture leads to multigenerational and transgenerational effects on uterine morphology and function in mice. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 93:178-190. [PMID: 32126281 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Phthalates are commonly used plasticizers and additives that are found in plastic containers, children's toys and medical equipment. Phthalates are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals and exposure to phthalates has been associated with several human health risks including reproductive defects. Most studies focus on a single phthalate; however, humans are exposed to a mixture of phthalates daily. We hypothesized that prenatal exposure to an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture would lead to changes in uterine morphology and function in mice in a multi-generational manner. To test this hypothesis, pregnant CD-1 dams were orally dosed with vehicle or a phthalate mixture (20 μg/kg/day, 200 μg/kg/day, 200 mg/kg/day, and 500 mg/kg/day) from gestational day 10.5 to parturition. The mixture contained 35 % diethyl phthalate, 21 % di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, 15 % dibutyl phthalate, 15 % diisononyl phthalate, 8% diisobutyl phthalate, and 5% benzylbutyl phthalate. The F1 pups were maintained and mated to produce two more generations (F2 and F3). At the age of 13 months, all females were euthanized and tissue samples were collected in diestrus. Our results showed that exposure to a phthalate mixture caused a decrease in progesterone levels in the treated groups in the F2 generation. The 200 mg/kg/day treatment group showed a decreased and increased luminal epithelial cell proliferation in the F1 and F2 generations respectively. In addition, these mice in the F2 generation had reduced Hand2 expression in the sub-epithelial stroma compared to the controls. A higher incidence of multilayered luminal epithelium and large dilated endometrial glands were observed in the phthalate mixture exposed groups in all generations. The mixture also caused a higher incidence of smooth muscle actin expression and collagen deposition in the endometrium compared to controls. Collectively, our results demonstrate that prenatal exposure to an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture can have adverse effects on female reproductive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailiang Li
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Monika Liszka
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Changqing Zhou
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Emily Brehm
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Romana A Nowak
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States.
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Meling DD, Warner GR, Szumski JR, Gao L, Gonsioroski AV, Rattan S, Flaws JA. The effects of a phthalate metabolite mixture on antral follicle growth and sex steroid synthesis in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 388:114875. [PMID: 31884101 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.114875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are used as solvents and plasticizers in a wide variety of consumer products. Most people are exposed to phthalates as parent compounds through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. However, these parent compounds are quickly metabolized to more active compounds in several tissues. Although studies indicate that phthalate metabolites reach the ovary, little is known about whether they are ovarian toxicants. Thus, this study tested the hypothesis that phthalate metabolites influence the expression of genes involved in sex steroid synthesis, cell cycle regulation, cell death, oxidative stress, and key receptors, as well as production of sex steroid hormones by mouse antral follicles. The selected metabolite mixture consisted of 36.7% monoethyl phthalate (MEP), 19.4% mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), 15.3% monobutyl phthalate (MBP), 10.2% monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP), 10.2% monoisononyl phthalate (MiNP), and 8.2% monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP). Antral follicles from adult CD-1 mice were cultured for 96 h with vehicle control (DMSO) or metabolite mixture (0.065-325 μg/mL). Growth of follicles in culture was monitored every 24 h. Total RNA was isolated after 24 and 96 h and used for gene expression analysis. Media were collected and subjected to hormone analysis. Exposure to the phthalate mixture inhibited follicle growth, decreased expression of steroidogenic enzymes, and altered the levels of sex steroids relative to control. The mixture, primarily at the two highest doses, also altered expression of cell cycle regulators, apoptotic factors, oxidative stress genes, and some receptors. Collectively, these data suggest that mixtures of phthalate metabolites can directly impact follicle health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl D Meling
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Genoa R Warner
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Jason R Szumski
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Liying Gao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Andressa V Gonsioroski
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Saniya Rattan
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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Warner GR, Li Z, Houde ML, Atkinson CE, Meling DD, Chiang C, Flaws JA. Ovarian Metabolism of an Environmentally Relevant Phthalate Mixture. Toxicol Sci 2019; 169:246-259. [PMID: 30768133 PMCID: PMC6484896 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phthalates are synthetic chemicals with widespread human exposure due to their use as additives in consumer products. Phthalate diesters are hydrolyzed in the environment and in the body to monoesters that may be more toxic than the parent compounds. This study tested the hypothesis that adult mouse antral follicles, but not neonatal ovaries, are able to metabolize an environmentally relevant mixture of phthalates. Whole neonatal ovaries and isolated adult antral follicles from CD-1 mice were cultured in media treated with vehicle control or 0.1-10 µg/ml of a mixture composed of 35% diethyl phthalate (DEP), 21% di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), 15% dibutyl phthalate (DBP), 15% diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), 8% diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), and 5% benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP). After 4 days of culture, media were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to measure the amounts of diester phthalates and monoester metabolites. Ovaries and follicles were collected to measure the gene and protein expression of the enzymes required for phthalate metabolism. Monoester metabolites for all phthalates except DiNP were detected in the media for both culture types at most doses. The long-chain phthalates (BzBP, DEHP, and DiNP) were metabolized less than the short-chain phthalates (DEP, DBP, and DiBP) compared with respective controls. Expression of metabolizing enzymes was observed for all treatment groups in both culture types. These data indicate that mouse ovaries are capable of metabolizing low doses of phthalates and suggest that metabolic capacity differs for follicles at different stages of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genoa R Warner
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Zhong Li
- Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Madeline L Houde
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Cassandra E Atkinson
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Daryl D Meling
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Catheryne Chiang
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
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Barakat R, Seymore T, Lin PCP, Park CJ, Ko CJ. Prenatal exposure to an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture disrupts testicular steroidogenesis in adult male mice. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 172:194-201. [PMID: 30802670 PMCID: PMC6511329 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment are considered to be a contributing factor to the decline in the sperm quality. With growing evidence of the harmful effects of EDCs on the male reproductive system, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture adversely affects reproductive outcomes and androgen synthesis. In this study, an environmentally relevant composition of phthalates (15% DiNP, 21% DEHP, 36% DEP, 15% DBP, 8% DiBP, and 5% BBzP) that were detected in urine samples of pregnant women in Illinois, United States, was used. Pregnant CD-1 mice (F0) were orally dosed with a vehicle or the phthalate mixtures (20 µg/kg/day, 200 µg/kg/day, 200 mg/kg/day, or 500 mg/kg/day) from gestational day 10.5 to the day of birth. Then, the indices of the reproductive function of the F1 males born to these dams were assessed. Those male mice prenatally exposed to the phthalate mixture had smaller gonads, prostates and seminal vesicles, especially in the 20 µg/kg/day and 500 mg/kg/day phthalate mixture groups, compared to the controls. Importantly, at the age of 12 months, those prenatally exposed mice had significantly lower serum testosterone concentrations accompanied by the decreased mRNA expression of testicular steroidogenic genes (StAR, Cyp11, and Cyp17) and impaired spermatogenesis. Taken together, this study found that prenatal exposure to environmentally relevant doses of a phthalate mixture caused a life-long impact on the reproduction in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radwa Barakat
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States; Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Qalyubia, Egypt
| | - Talia Seymore
- Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Po-Ching Patrick Lin
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Chan Jin Park
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - CheMyong Jay Ko
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States.
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