Prenatal Environmental Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants and Reproductive Hormone Profile and Pubertal Development in Dutch Adolescents

Sietske A. Berghuis, Arend F. Bos, Henk Groen, Wilhelmina H. A. de Jong, Anneke C. Muller Kobold, Lucie Wagenmakers-Huizinga, Pieter J. J. Sauer and Gianni Bocca
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Sietske A. Berghuis: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
Arend F. Bos: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
Henk Groen: Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
Wilhelmina H. A. de Jong: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
Anneke C. Muller Kobold: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
Lucie Wagenmakers-Huizinga: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
Pieter J. J. Sauer: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
Gianni Bocca: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), may interfere with hormonal processes. Knowledge about the effects of prenatal exposure to PCBs and their hydroxylated metabolites (OH-PCBs) on pubertal development is limited. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to determine whether prenatal environmental PCB and OH-PCB exposure are associated with reproductive hormone levels and pubertal characteristics in 13- to 15-year-old children. In this Dutch observational cohort study, 194 mother–infant pairs were included (1998–2002). Maternal pregnancy serum levels of PCBs, OH-PCBs, and other POPs were measured. At follow-up (2014–2016), we measured serum or plasma levels of reproductive hormones in their children. We assessed Tanner stages and testicular volume (by clinician or standardized self-assessment), and participants completed questionnaires on pubertal onset. In total, 101 adolescents (14.4 ± 0.8 years; 53.7% of invited) participated, and 55 were boys. In boys, higher prenatal PCB levels were associated with higher testosterone levels, higher pubic hair stage, larger testicular volume, and younger age at onset of growth spurt and voice break. In girls, higher prenatal PCB levels were associated with higher stages for breast development. In conclusion, higher prenatal PCB exposure could be associated with more advanced pubertal development in 13- to 15-year-old children.

Keywords: adolescence; adolescent; chemical exposure; endocrine disruptor; persistent organic pollutant; polychlorinated biphenyl; prenatal exposure; pubertal development; reproductive hormone; testosterone (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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