Menstrual function among women exposed to polybrominated biphenyls: a follow-up prevalence study.
BACKGROUND
Alteration in menstrual cycle function is suggested among rhesus monkeys and humans exposed to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and structurally similar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The feedback system for menstrual cycle function potentially allows multiple pathways for disruption directly through the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and indirectly through alternative neuroendocrine axes.


METHODS
The Michigan Female Health Study was conducted during 1997-1998 among women in a cohort exposed to PBBs in 1973. This study included 337 women with self-reported menstrual cycles of 20-35 days (age range: 24-56 years). Current PBB levels were estimated by exponential decay modeling of serum PBB levels collected from 1976-1987 during enrollment in the Michigan PBB cohort. Linear regression models for menstrual cycle length and the logarithm of bleed length used estimated current PBB exposure or enrollment PBB exposure categorized in tertiles, and for the upper decile. All models were adjusted for serum PCB levels, age, body mass index, history of at least 10% weight loss in the past year, physical activity, smoking, education, and household income.


RESULTS
Higher levels of physical activity were associated with shorter bleed length, and increasing age was associated with shorter cycle length. Although no overall association was found between PBB exposure and menstrual cycle characteristics, a significant interaction between PBB exposures with past year weight loss was found. Longer bleed length and shorter cycle length were associated with higher PBB exposure among women with past year weight loss.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that PBB exposure may impact ovarian function as indicated by menstrual cycle length and bleed length. However, these associations were found among the small number of women with recent weight loss suggesting either a chance finding or that mobilization of PBBs from lipid stores may be important. These results should be replicated with larger numbers of women exposed to similar lipophilic compounds.
Davis
Stephanie I
SI
Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, Alanta, GA 30322, USA. sidavis@cdc.gov
Blanck
Heidi Michels
HM
Hertzberg
Vicki S
VS
Tolbert
Paige E
PE
Rubin
Carol
C
Cameron
Lorraine L
LL
Henderson
Alden K
AK
Marcus
Michele
M
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D020387:Food Chain; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D015995:Prevalence; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls