The effects of PCB exposure and fish consumption on endogenous hormones.
Previous studies have suggested that exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may alter thyroid function, but data on effects of PCB exposure on other endogenous hormones has been lacking. The current study is ancillary to a larger investigation of the effects of Great Lakes fish consumption on PCBs and reproductive function. In the current study we examine associations of PCBs, 1,1-bis (4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethene (DDE), and fish consumption with thyroid and steroid hormones in 178 men and PCBs, DDE, and fish consumption with thyroid hormones in 51 women from the original study. Serum PCB level and consumption of Great Lakes fish are associated with significantly lower levels of thyroxine (T(4)) and free thyroxine index (FTI) in women and with significantly lower levels of T(4) in men. Fish consumption, but not PCB level, is significantly and inversely associated with triiodothyronine (T(3)) in men. Results for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are inconsistent. Among men, there are significant inverse associations of both PCB and fish consumption with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)-bound testosterone, but no association with SHBG or free testosterone. There are no significant overall associations of PCB, DDE, or fish consumption with estrone sulfate, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. The results of this study are consistent with previous studies showing effects of fish consumption and PCB exposure on thyroid hormones and suggest that PCBs may also decrease steroid binding to SHBG. Elucidation of specific mechanisms must await future investigations.
Persky
V
V
Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. vwpersky@uic.edu
Turyk
M
M
Anderson
H A
HA
Hanrahan
L P
LP
Falk
C
C
Steenport
D N
DN
Chatterton
R
R
Freels
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis*
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls