Abstract:
Although several recent studies suggest endocrine disrupting compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p\', DDE), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), target different organs and systems in the body, their impact on female reproductive function in humans is not well characterized. We seek to determine the relationship between several known endocrine disrupting compounds and a marker of ovarian responsivity, the FSH:LH ratio (higher ratio indicates less ovarian responsivity). For this analysis, 169 naturally cycling women between 21 and 38 years of age completed interviews and had their blood drawn on day 3 of their menstrual cycle for analyses of toxicants, gonadal sex hormones (E2 and P4), and gonadotropins (FSH and LH). PCB congeners were classified into five groups based on their environmental persistence, distribution in human tissue, and toxicological action, reflecting the structure, mechanism, and known biological activity of individual PCB congeners. For every unit (ppb) increase in the level of the estrogenic PCB group, there was a 5-fold greater risk of a FSH:LH ratio ≥ 2, controlling for individual differences in age, percent body fat, cycle day 3 estradiol levels, parity, alcohol use and cigarette smoking in the past year (exp[ß] = 5; p = ≤0.01). PCB congeners identified as estrogenic were analyzed individually, and, of the 19 potentially estrogenic congeners, five were significantly, and positively related to an increased FSH:LH ratio. Four of these congeners are non-persistent, easily volatilize in the environment, and are easily metabolized, and hence, are indicative of very recent or current exposure. p,p\'-DDE and HCB were not associated with FSH:LH ratio. We find a clinical indicator of ovarian responsivity, FSH:LH ratio, is associated with a specific group of estrogenic PCBs. These congeners may become airborne when they volatilize from dredged PCB-contaminated soil or from indoor PCB-containing window caulk and sealants in older buildings leading to inhalation exposure. PCB exposure, particularly to non-persistent, estrogenic congeners, may pose an unrecognized threat to female fecundity within the general population.
摘要:
尽管最近的几项研究表明内分泌干扰化合物,如多氯联苯(PCB),二氯二苯基二氯乙烯(p,p\',DDE),和六氯苯(HCB),瞄准体内不同的器官和系统,它们对人类女性生殖功能的影响还没有得到很好的表征。我们试图确定几种已知的内分泌干扰化合物与卵巢反应性标志物之间的关系,FSH:LH比值(较高的比值表明卵巢反应性较低)。对于这个分析,169名年龄在21至38岁之间的自然骑自行车的妇女完成了访谈,并在月经周期的第3天抽血以分析有毒物质,性腺性激素(E2和P4),和促性腺激素(FSH和LH)。PCB同源物根据其环境持久性分为五组,在人体组织中的分布,和毒理学作用,反映了结构,机制,和已知的单个PCB同源物的生物活性。雌激素性PCB组水平每增加一个单位(ppb),在控制年龄个体差异的情况下,FSH:LH比值≥2的风险增加5倍,身体脂肪百分比,周期第3天雌二醇水平,奇偶校验,过去一年的饮酒和吸烟(exp[β]=5;p=≤0.01)。对确定为雌激素的PCB同源物进行了单独分析,and,在19种潜在的雌激素同源物中,五个是显著的,与FSH:LH比值增加呈正相关。其中四个同源物是非持久性的,在环境中容易挥发,很容易代谢,因此,表示最近或当前的暴露。p,p-DDE和HCB与FSH:LH比值无关。我们发现了卵巢反应性的临床指标,FSH:LH比值,与一组特定的雌激素性多氯联苯有关。当这些同源物从被疏浚的PCB污染的土壤或从室内含PCB的窗户填缝和旧建筑物中的密封剂挥发时,它们可能会传播到空气中,从而导致吸入暴露。PCB曝光,特别是对于非持久性,雌激素同源物,可能对普通人群中的女性繁殖力构成未知的威胁。