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Park S, Lee I, Park YJ, Kim TY, Kim H, Choi K. Association of blood metal exposure with age at menarche in Korean women: KNHANES (2008-2017). Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 256:114312. [PMID: 38142537 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114312] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to metals in their daily lives and this metal exposure is responsible for various adverse health effects. Delayed pubertal development has been suggested as an adverse outcome of metal exposure; however, evidence in nationally representative populations, especially in Asia, is limited. We evaluated the association of blood cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) levels with the age at menarche in Korean females whose blood heavy metals were measured as part of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008-2017. Among the females 16 years of age or older, all measured heavy metals in blood, i.e., Cd, Pb, and Hg, were positively associated with age at menarche. These associations remained significant in a model adjusted for age, survey year, income, education, body mass index, smoking history, and menopausal status as covariates (β: 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03-0.18 for Cd; β: 0.17, 95%CI: 0.06-0.27 for Pb; β: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.05-0.19 for Hg). When the population was separated by age group at the time of the survey, the significance between heavy metal levels and age at menarche became inconsistent, but the general trends were similar. Among those in their 20s and 40s, blood Cd showed a significant association, while Pb was significant among those in their 40s and 50s. A similar trend was observed in the sensitivity analysis in the girls aged 10-15 years at the time of the survey. Blood Cd levels were associated with decreased odds of precocious menarche (OR: 0.57, 95%CI: 0.31-1.03). Delayed menarche is a risk factor for cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases in later life; hence, public health implication of heavy metal exposure warrants a public health attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhyun Park
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Inae Lee
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea; Institute of Health & Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Yong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea; Institute of Health & Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungho Choi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea; Institute of Health & Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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Shi LL, Hang JG, Lou J, Dong JJ, Feng H, Wang Z, Shen B, Nakayama SF, Kido T, Ma C, Sun XL, Jung CR. Multiple exposures to heavy metals and changes in steroid hormones production in 4-year-old children. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:865-873. [PMID: 36973528 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00539-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to multiple heavy metals can interfere with early neurodevelopment, lead to changes in sex hormone concentrations in children, and affect female reproductive health. To date, the influence of prenatal exposure to heavy metals on the endocrine system of children in Chinese electronic waste (e-waste) recycling areas has not been elucidated. METHODS Four weeks after delivery, 10 mL of human milk was collected for analysis of three heavy metals (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg)) via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Four serum steroid hormones, including progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione (A-dione), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), were analyzed in 4-year-old children (25 boys and 17 girls). A multiple linear regression (MLR) model was implemented to investigate the association between each individual metal and serum steroid hormone. The exposure-response relationships were explored by generalized additive models (GAMs). Additionally, a Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was used to assess the effects of multiple heavy metal exposures on each steroid hormone. RESULTS The MLR results show a significant positive association between a natural log unit increase in Hg and DHEA levels after adjusting for confounders (β = 65.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.37, 126.62). According to the GAM, the univariate exposure-response relationship of Hg on DHEA was almost linear. However, this association was attenuated based on the multiple metal MLR and BKMR results after accounting for multiple heavy metal exposures. SIGNIFICANCE Prenatal Hg exposure may affect sex hormones in children by affecting DHEA levels. IMPACT STATEMENT Prenatal maternal exposure to Hg may have long-term effects on the next generation. Hence, regulatory measures to reduce Hg exposure and long-term monitoring of children's health in e-waste areas are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li Shi
- School of Medicine, and Huzhou Key Laboratory for Precise Prevention and Control of Major Chronic Diseases, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
- School of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Jin Guo Hang
- Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Jianlin Lou
- School of Medicine, and Huzhou Key Laboratory for Precise Prevention and Control of Major Chronic Diseases, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | | | - Hao Feng
- School of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- School of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Bin Shen
- School of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Shoji F Nakayama
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Kido
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Chaochen Ma
- Cancer Control Center, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Xian Liang Sun
- School of Medicine, and Huzhou Key Laboratory for Precise Prevention and Control of Major Chronic Diseases, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China.
- School of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
| | - Chau-Ren Jung
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan.
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Ali Daoud Y, Tebby C, Beaudouin R, Brochot C. Development of a physiologically based toxicokinetic model for lead in pregnant women: The role of bone tissue in the maternal and fetal internal exposure. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 476:116651. [PMID: 37549741 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116651] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown associations between prenatal exposure to lead (Pb) and neurodevelopmental effects in young children. Prenatal exposure is generally characterized by measuring the concentration in the umbilical cord at delivery or in the maternal blood during pregnancy. To assess internal Pb exposure during prenatal life, we developed a pregnancy physiologically based pharmacokinetic (p-PBPK) model that to simulates Pb levels in blood and target tissues in the fetus, especially during critical periods for brain development. An existing Pb PBPK model was adapted to pregnant women and fetuses. Using data from literature, both the additional maternal bone remodeling, that causes Pb release into the blood, and the Pb placental transfers were estimated by Bayesian inference. Additional maternal bone remodeling was estimated to start at 21.6 weeks. Placental transfers were estimated between 4.6 and 283 L.day-1 at delivery with high interindividual variability. Once calibrated, the p-PBPK model was used to simulate fetal exposure to Pb. Internal fetal exposure greatly varies over the pregnancy with two peaks of Pb levels in blood and brain at the end of the 1st and 3rd trimesters. Sensitivity analysis shows that the fetal blood lead levels are affected by the maternal burden of bone Pb via maternal bone remodeling and by fetal bone formation at different pregnancy stages. Coupling the p-PBPK model with an effect model such as an adverse outcome pathway could help to predict the effects on children's neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yourdasmine Ali Daoud
- Experimental toxicology and modeling unit (MIV/TEAM), Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France; Péritox, UMR-I 01, University of Picardie Jules Verne, 80025 Amiens, France
| | - Cleo Tebby
- Experimental toxicology and modeling unit (MIV/TEAM), Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France.
| | - Rémy Beaudouin
- Experimental toxicology and modeling unit (MIV/TEAM), Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France; Sebio, UMR-I 02, Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Céline Brochot
- Experimental toxicology and modeling unit (MIV/TEAM), Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France; Certara UK Ltd, Simcyp Division, Sheffield, UK
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4
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Palomar A, Quiñonero A, Medina-Laver Y, Gonzalez-Martin R, Pérez-Debén S, Alama P, Domínguez F. Antioxidant Supplementation Alleviates Mercury-Induced Cytotoxicity and Restores the Implantation-Related Functions of Primary Human Endometrial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108799. [PMID: 37240143 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) cytotoxicity, which is largely mediated through oxidative stress (OS), can be relieved with antioxidants. Thus, we aimed to study the effects of Hg alone or in combination with 5 nM N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on the primary endometrial cells' viability and function. Primary human endometrial epithelial cells (hEnEC) and stromal cells (hEnSC) were isolated from 44 endometrial biopsies obtained from healthy donors. The viability of treated endometrial and JEG-3 trophoblast cells was evaluated via tetrazolium salt metabolism. Cell death and DNA integrity were quantified following annexin V and TUNEL staining, while the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified following DCFDA staining. Decidualization was assessed through secreted prolactin and the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) in cultured media. JEG-3 spheroids were co-cultured with the hEnEC and decidual hEnSC to assess trophoblast adhesion and outgrowth on the decidual stroma, respectively. Hg compromised cell viability and amplified ROS production in trophoblast and endometrial cells and exacerbated cell death and DNA damage in trophoblast cells, impairing trophoblast adhesion and outgrowth. NAC supplementation significantly restored cell viability, trophoblast adhesion, and outgrowth. As these effects were accompanied by the significant decline in ROS production, our findings originally describe how implantation-related endometrial cell functions are restored in Hg-treated primary human endometrial co-cultures by antioxidant supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Palomar
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IVI Foundation-IIS La Fe Health Research Institute, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Alicia Quiñonero
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IVI Foundation-IIS La Fe Health Research Institute, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Yassmin Medina-Laver
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IVI Foundation-IIS La Fe Health Research Institute, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Roberto Gonzalez-Martin
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IVI Foundation-IIS La Fe Health Research Institute, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Pilar Alama
- Department of Gynecology, IVIRMA-Valencia, 46015 Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Domínguez
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IVI Foundation-IIS La Fe Health Research Institute, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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5
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Sarzo B, Ballester F, Soler-Blasco R, Lopez-Espinosa MJ, Lozano M, Iriarte G, Beneito A, Riutort-Mayol G, Murcia M, Llop S. Pre and postnatal exposure to mercury and sexual development in 9-year-old children in Spain: The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 213:113620. [PMID: 35697081 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Early exposure to mercury has been related to endocrine disruption. Steroid hormones play a crucial role in neural cell migration, differentiation, etc., as well as protecting against several neurotoxic compounds. We investigate the relation between mercury exposure and children's sexual development, and we evaluate the possible influence of different brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphisms on this association. Our study sample comprised 412 9-year-old children participating in the INMA cohort (2004-2015). Mercury concentrations were measured at birth (cord blood) and at 4 and 9 years of age (hair). Sexual development was assessed by levels of sex steroid hormones (estradiol and testosterone) in saliva and the Tanner stages of sex development at 9 years (categorized as 1: prepuberty and >1: pubertal onset). Covariates and confounders were collected through questionnaires during pregnancy and childhood. Polymorphisms in the BDNF gene were genotyped in cord blood DNA. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed between mercury levels and children's sexual development by sex. Effect modification by genetic polymorphisms and fish intake was assessed. We found marginally significant inverse associations between postnatal exposure to mercury (at 9 years) and testosterone levels (β[95%CI] = -0.16[-0.33,0.001], and -0.20[-0.42,0.03], for boys and girls, respectively). Additionally, we found that prenatal mercury was negatively associated with Tanner stage >1 in boys. Finally, we found significant genetic interactions for some single nucleotide polymorphisms in the BDNF gene. In conclusion, pre and postnatal exposure to mercury seems to affect children's sexual development and BDNF may play a role in this association, but further research would be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Sarzo
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Department of Microbiology and Ecology, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ferran Ballester
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Raquel Soler-Blasco
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Manuel Lozano
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gorka Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Salud Pública, Vitoria Gasteiz, Alava, Spain
| | - Andrea Beneito
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gabriel Riutort-Mayol
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, Spain
| | - Mario Murcia
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Health Information Systems Analysis Service, Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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6
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Pyo SS. The Association of Mercury and ALT with Obesity in Korean Adults: Using Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 11 Years (KNHANES 2005, 2008~2017). KOREAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.15324/kjcls.2022.54.3.192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sang Shin Pyo
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Jungwon University, Goesan, Korea
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Kumar S, Sharma A, Sedha S. Occupational and environmental mercury exposure and human reproductive health - a review. J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc 2022; 23:199-210. [PMID: 36065987 PMCID: PMC9450922 DOI: 10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2022.2022-2-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal. Humans are exposed to mercury through several sources including environmental, occupational, contaminated food and water and from mercury-containing dental amalgam. Mercury exposure is known to harm the nervous system profoundly, and have a negative impact on digestive and immune systems, and other organs. To review and discuss the effect of mercury exposure through environmental or occupational routes on human reproduction, pregnancy, and its outcome. Published information about the potential toxic effects of mercury on human reproduction were collected and summarized. Literature was identified by systematic search using relevant keywords. Literature review revealed a number of negative impacts of mercury on human reproduction. These included effects on semen quality, including reduced sperm count, motility, and changes in morphology that may reduce fertility potential. There may also be an effect in changing reproductive hormone levels. Mercury exposure might also affect pregnancy but the data concerning mercury effects on female reproduction are limited except for some data about mercury exposure and poor pregnancy outcomes. Available data indicate that mercury exposure may have a toxicity effect on reproductive potential, especially in males. Prenatal mercury exposure may affect pregnancy or its outcome and this appears to be dependent upon dose, duration, and timing of exposure. Nutritional status of exposed individual might also influence the impact of mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Gujarat, India
| | - Anupama Sharma
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Gujarat, India
| | - Sapna Sedha
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Hari Singh Gour University, Madhya Pradesh, India
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8
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Chen P, Luo Q, Lin Y, Jin J, Hu KL, Wang F, Sun J, Chen R, Wei J, Chen G, Zhang D. Arsenic exposure during juvenile and puberty significantly affected reproductive system development of female SD rats. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 242:113857. [PMID: 35809398 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Infertility affects about 10-15% couples over the world, among which a large number of cases the underlying causes are still unclear. Recent studies suggest that environmental factors may play an important role in these idiopathic infertilities. Arsenic is a heavy metal found in drinking water over the world. Its effect on the development of female reproductive system at the environmental-relevant levels is still largely unknown. To test the hypothesis that arsenic exposure during juvenile and puberty may affect sex maturation and female reproductive system development, SD rats of 3 weeks of age were exposed to arsenic with environmental-relevant levels (0, 0.02, 0.2, or 2 mg/L, n = 16/group) through drinking water for about 44 days until the rats reached adulthood (65 days of age). Arsenic exposure significantly reduced the weights of both ovary and uterus without affecting the body weight. Also, arsenic exposure disturbed estrus cycles and reduced the numbers of primordial follicles and corpora lutea while increased atretic follicles. In addition, arsenic reduced serum levels of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone but increased LH and FSH levels in dose-dependent manners. QPCR and Western blot experiments indicated arsenic selectively down-regulated ovarian steroidogenic-related proteins FSHR, STAR, CYP17A1, HSD3B1 and CYP19A1 and signaling molecules PKA-ERK-JNK-cJUN, without affecting AKT and CREB. As about reproductive capacity, arsenic-exposed dams had smaller pups, reduced litter size and lower number of male pups without a change in female pups. In conclusion, juvenile and pubertal arsenic exposures at environmental-relevant levels significantly reduced reproductive functions and capacity by adult. Since the lowest effective dose is very close to the government safety standards, the relevancy of arsenic over exposure to reproductive defects in human deserves further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yifeng Lin
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiani Jin
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai-Lun Hu
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feixia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiwei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruixue Chen
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Juan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guangdi Chen
- Department of Public Health, and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology of Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Dai Y, Bo Y, Wang P, Xu X, Singh M, Jia L, Zhang S, Niu S, Cheng K, Liang J, Mu L, Geng K, Xia G, Wang C, Zhang Y, Zhang H. Asynchronous embryonic germ cell development leads to a heterogeneity of postnatal ovarian follicle activation and may influence the timing of puberty onset in mice. BMC Biol 2022; 20:109. [PMID: 35550124 PMCID: PMC9101839 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01318-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian follicles, which are the basic units of female reproduction, are composed of oocytes and surrounding somatic (pre) granulosa cells (GCs). A recent study revealed that signaling in somatic preGCs controlled the activation (initial recruitment) of follicles in the adult ovaries, but it is also known that there are two waves of follicle with age-related heterogeneity in their developmental dynamics in mammals. Although this heterogeneity was proposed to be crucial for female reproduction, our understanding of how it arises and its significance is still elusive. Results In the current study, by deleting the key secreted factor KIT ligand from preGCs and analyzing the follicle cell developmental dynamics, we revealed distinct patterns of activation and growth associated with the two waves of follicles in mouse ovary. Our results confirmed that activation of adult wave follicles is initiated by somatic preGCs and dependent on the KIT ligand. By contrast, activation of first wave follicles, which are awakened from germ cells before follicle formation, can occur in the absence of preGC-secreted KIT ligand in postnatal ovaries and appears to be oocyte-initiated. We also found that the asynchronous activity of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinases (PI3K) signaling and meiotic process in embryonic germ cells lead to the follicle heterogeneity in postnatal ovaries. In addition, we supplied evidence that the time sequence of embryonic germ cell development and its related first wave follicle growth are correlated to the time of puberty onset in females. Conclusion Taken together, our study provides evidence that asynchronous development of embryonic oocytes leads to the heterogeneity of postnatal ovarian follicle activation and development, and affects the timing of onset of puberty in females. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01318-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yingnan Bo
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Peike Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xueqiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Meenakshi Singh
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Longzhong Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shudong Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Kaixin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jing Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lu Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Kaiying Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Guoliang Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.,Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western China, College of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, Ningxia, China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Deyssenroth MA, Peng S, Hao K, Marsit CJ, Chen J. Placental Gene Transcript Proportions are Altered in the Presence of In Utero Arsenic and Cadmium Exposures, Genetic Variants, and Birth Weight Differences. Front Genet 2022; 13:865449. [PMID: 35646058 PMCID: PMC9136297 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.865449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In utero arsenic and cadmium exposures are linked with reduced birth weight as well as alterations in placental molecular features. However, studies thus far have focused on summarizing transcriptional activity at the gene level and do not capture transcript specification, an important resource during fetal development to enable adaptive responses to the rapidly changing in utero physiological conditions. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of the placental transcriptome to evaluate the role of differential transcript usage (DTU) as a potential marker of in utero arsenic and cadmium exposure and fetal growth restriction. Methods: Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing was performed in placenta samples from the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS, n = 199). Arsenic and cadmium levels were measured in maternal toenails using ICP-MS. Differential transcript usage (DTU) contrasting small (SGA) and appropriate (AGA) for gestational age infants as well as above vs. below median exposure to arsenic and cadmium were assessed using the DRIMSeq R package. Genetic variants that influence transcript usage were determined using the sQTLseeker R package. Results: We identified 82 genes demonstrating DTU in association with SGA status at an FDR <0.05. Among these, one gene, ORMDL1, also demonstrated DTU in association with arsenic exposure, and fifteen genes (CSNK1E, GBA, LAMTOR4, MORF4L1, PIGO, PSG1, PSG3, PTMA, RBMS1, SLC38A2, SMAD4, SPCS2, TUBA1B, UBE2A, YIPF5) demonstrated DTU in association with cadmium exposure. In addition to cadmium exposure and SGA status, proportions of the LAMTOR4 transcript ENST00000474141.5 also differed by genetic variants (rs10231604, rs12878, and rs3736591), suggesting a pathway by which an in utero exposure and genetic variants converge to impact fetal growth through perturbations of placental processes. Discussion: We report the first genome-wide characterization of placental transcript usage and associations with intrauterine metal exposure and fetal growth restriction. These results highlight the utility of interrogating the transcriptome at finer-scale transcript-level resolution to identify novel placental biomarkers of exposure-induced outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya A. Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shouneng Peng
- Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Geier DA, Geier MR. A Longitudinal Cohort Study of Precocious Puberty and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Horm Res Paediatr 2022; 94:219-228. [PMID: 34425572 DOI: 10.1159/000519141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by persistent deficits in communication, socialization, and stereotypic behaviors. It was previously hypothesized that hormone dysfunction is a frequent occurrence among children diagnosed with an ASD. OBJECTIVES A hypothesis-testing epidemiological study examined the relationship between precocious puberty (PP) (a known disorder of childhood sex hormone dysfunction) and ASD diagnoses. METHODS The Independent Healthcare Research Database is composed of de-identified linked eligibility and claims health-care records prospectively generated from the Florida Medicaid system. A cohort of 101,736 children eligible for Florida Medicaid from 1990 to 2009 and continuously eligible with ≥10 outpatient office visits during the 120-month period following birth were examined using SAS and StatsDirect software. There were 1,593 children (15,738 person-years) in the ASD diagnosed cohort utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th revision criteria (the International Code for Disease, 9th revision [ICD-9] codes: 299.00 or 299.80) and 100,143 children (996,835 person-years) in the undiagnosed cohort. RESULTS The incidence rate of PP (ICD-9 code: 259.1) was examined using Cox proportional hazards ratio (HR) and frequency models. PP per 10,000 person-years in the ASD cohort (43.2) relative to the undiagnosed cohort (13.7) was significantly increased in frequency modeling (risk ratio = 3.15, p < 0.0001) and Cox proportional HR modeling (adjusted HR = 4.64, p < 0.0001). Further analyses revealed the incidence rate of PP diagnosed after 3 years of age was significantly increased (adjusted HR = 5.16, p < 0.0001) in the ASD cohort relative to the undiagnosed cohort but not for the incidence rate of PP diagnosed before 3 years (adjusted HR = 1.57, p = 0.44). CONCLUSION This hypothesis-testing study provides strong evidence of an increased incidence rate of PP among children diagnosed with an ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Geier
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark R Geier
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Allan-Blitz LT, Goldfine C, Erickson TB. Environmental and health risks posed to children by artisanal gold mining: A systematic review. SAGE Open Med 2022; 10:20503121221076934. [PMID: 35173966 PMCID: PMC8841918 DOI: 10.1177/20503121221076934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There are an estimated 5 million children working in artisanal and small-scale gold mines worldwide; however, the hazards are poorly characterized and often underreported. We systematically reviewed the literature on reports of hazards among children as a consequence of such activities through PubMed database using pre-defined search terms. We identified 113 articles published between 1984 and 2021 from 31 countries. Toxicological hazards were reported in 91 articles, including mercury, lead, and arsenic. Infectious hazards, noted in 18 articles, included malaria, cholera, and hepatitis. Six articles reported occupational hazards, including malnutrition, heat stroke, and reactive airway disease. Three articles reported traumatic hazards, including cave-ins, burns, animal attacks, falls, and weapon-inflected wounds. Those findings likely indicate a profound underreporting of the prevalence and consequences of such hazards among children. More work is needed both to characterize the burdens of those hazards and to address the underlying drivers of child labor in those settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lao-Tzu Allan-Blitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charlotte Goldfine
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy B Erickson
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Humanitarian Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Impact of intra-uterine life on future health. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2021; 83:54-58. [PMID: 34896342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Since the emergence of the concept of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), suggested by Barker in the 1980s, numerous epidemiological studies in humans have confirmed the relationship between maternal obesity during pregnancy and the risk of offspring developing various chronic adult illnesses. These effects of intrauterine life are independent of inheritance of disease susceptibility genes and/or socio-economic factors. Regarding potential mechanisms, recent data from animal models suggests a role of insulin resistance early in development. Another potential mechanism, in the case of maternal obesity, is increased placental nutrient transfer. The DOHaD concept also includes fetal exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs). A Danish group for the first time recently analyzed EED passage across the placenta in humans throughout pregnancy. This study showed different levels of bioaccumulation depending on the fetal organ, with greater vulnerability in male than female fetuses. Recent clinical studies suggested an association between fetal exposure to particular EEDs and precocious puberty, increased incidence of cryptorchidism and impaired sperm quality in adulthood. These modifications of the in-utero environment also appear to be responsible for epigenetic changes that are transmittable over several generations. A recent example of this is the demonstration of the transmission of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in mice. In summary, an increasing number of examples of the impact of intrauterine life on the health of offspring have appeared in recent years, illustrating the important role that endocrinologists can play in preventing particular pathologies in future generations.
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