Exposure to organochlorine compounds and effects on ovarian function.
BACKGROUND
Some chemicals appear to have hormonally active properties in animals, but data in humans are sparse. Therefore, we examined ovarian function in relation to organochlorine compound levels.


METHODS
During 1997-1999, 50 Southeast Asian immigrant women of reproductive age collected urine samples daily. These samples were assayed for metabolites of estrogen and progesterone, and the women's menstrual cycle parameters were assessed. Organochlorine compounds (including DDT, its metabolite DDE, and 10 polychlorinated biphenyl [PCB] congeners) were measured in serum.


RESULTS
All samples had detectable DDT and DDE, with mean levels higher than typical U.S. populations. Mean cycle length was approximately 4 days shorter at the highest quartile concentration of DDT or DDE compared with the lowest. After adjustment for lipid levels, age, parity, and tubal ligation, and exclusion of a particularly long cycle, the decrements were attenuated to less than 1 day, with wide confidence intervals (CIs). The adjusted mean luteal phase length was shorter by approximately 1.5 days at the highest quartile of DDT (95% CI = -2.6 to -0.30) or DDE (-2.6 to -0.20). With each doubling of the DDE level, cycle length decreased 1.1 day (-2.4 to 0.23) and luteal phase length decreased 0.6 days (-1.1 to -0.2). Progesterone metabolite levels during the luteal phase were consistently decreased with higher DDE concentration. PCB levels were not generally associated with cycle length or hormone parameters after adjustment, and they did not alter the DDE associations when included in the same models.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates a potential effect of DDE on ovarian function, which may influence other end points such as fertility, pregnancy, and reproductive cancers.
Windham
Gayle C
GC
Environmental Health Investigations Branch, Department of Health Services, Oakland, California 94612, USA. gwindham@dhs.ca.gov
Lee
Diana
D
Mitchell
Patrick
P
Anderson
Meredith
M
Petreas
Myrto
M
Lasley
Bill
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003634:DDT / Q000633:toxicity; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000633:toxicity; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D005506:Food Contamination; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000633:toxicity*; D007812:Laos / Q000208:ethnology; D008598:Menstruation / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000187:drug effects; D017747:Seafood
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D004967:Estrogens; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D003634:DDT; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls