In-utero exposure to polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and menstrual cycle function in adulthood Open Access

Abstract

Background/Aim: There is evidence that in-utero exposure to PBBs, and similar chemicals, are associated with several adverse reproductive health outcomes including altered pubertal timing; however, less is known about the effects of in-utero exposure to PBBs on menstrual cycle function and reproductive hormone levels in adulthood.

Methods: For this menstrual cycle study, we recruited reproductive-aged women in the Michigan PBB Registry who were not pregnant, lactating, or taking hormonal medications (2004-2014). A total of 42 women who were born after the PBB contamination incident (1973-1974), who were only exposed in-utero, were included in this analysis. We estimated in-utero PBB exposure using maternal serum PBB measurements taken after exposure and extrapolated to time of pregnancy using a PBB elimination model. Women were followed for up to 6 months during which they provided daily urine samples and completed daily diaries. The urine samples were assayed for estrone 3-glucuronide (E13G), pregnanediol 3-glucuronide (Pd3G), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

Results: Women in our study were, on average, 27.5 (SD:5.3) years and contributed 4.9 (SD:1.9) menstrual cycles of follow-up. Compared to women with low in-utero PBB exposure (≤1 ppb), women with medium (>1.0-3.0 ppb) and high (>3.0 ppb) exposure had significantly higher maximum 3-day mean Pd3G levels during the luteal phase. Specifically, the age- and creatinine-adjusted maximum 3-day mean luteal phase Pd3G levels (95% CI) in increasing categories of in-utero PBB exposure were 9.2 (4.6,13.9), 14.8 (11.6,18.0), and 16.1 (12.9,19.3) ug/mg. There were no significant differences in average cycle length, follicular or luteal phase cycle length, bleed length, or creatinine-adjusted E13G or FSH levels by category of in-utero PBB exposure. 

Conclusion: Higher exposure to PBB in-utero was associated with increased progesterone levels across the luteal phase, however, most other menstrual cycle characteristics were largely unassociated with in-utero PBB exposure. Given our modest sample size, our results require cautious interpretation.

Table of Contents

Introduction...1

Methods...1

Study Population..1

Menstrual Cycle Function Protocol...3

Exposure Assessment...4

Outcome Assessment...5

Statistical Analysis...7

Results...8

Discussion...9

References...15

Tables...17

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Environmental Health
Degree	M.S.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Epidemiology Health Sciences, Public Health Environmental Health
Keyword	Chemical exposures Polybrominated biphenyls In-utero exposure Menstrual Cycle function Reproductive outcomes Environmental Epidemiology Endocrine disrupting chemicals
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Audrey Gaskins, Sc.D., Emory University

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