Cryptorchidism at birth in Nice area (France) is associated with higher prenatal exposure to PCBs and DDE, as assessed by colostrum concentrations.
BACKGROUND
Since fetal exposure to anti-androgenic and/or estrogenic compounds has adverse effect on animal reproduction, such exposure could be harmful to human fetus. Data are scarce on cryptorchidism and human exposure to endocrine disruptors.


METHODS
We performed a prospective case-control study to assess the incidence of cryptorchidism and fetal exposure to selected chemicals in the Nice area. One hundred and fifty-one cord bloods (67 cryptorchid, 84 tightly matched controls) and 125 colostrums (56 for cryptorchid and 69 for controls) were screened for xenobiotics, including anti-androgenic dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethylene (DDE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dibutylphthalate (and metabolite monobutylphthalate, mBP).


RESULTS
Median concentrations in colostrum were higher, although not statistically significantly, in cryptorchid versus controls. Cryptorchid boys were more likely to be classified in the most contaminated groups in colostrum for DDE, Sigma PCBs and the composite score PCB + DDE. The same trend, but again not statistically significantly was observed for mBP. Odds ratio for cryptorchidism was increased for the highest score of Sigma PCB, with a trend only for DDE and Sigma PCB + DDE versus the lowest score of those components.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results support an association between congenital cryptorchidism and fetal exposure to PCBs and possibly DDE. Higher concentrations in milk could be a marker of higher exposure or for an impaired detoxification pattern in genetically predisposed individuals.
Brucker-Davis
Françoise
F
Endocrinology Department, Hôpital l'Archet 1, CHU Nice, 151 route de Saint-Antoine, 06200 Nice, France. brucker-davis.f@chu-nice.fr
Wagner-Mahler
Kathy
K
Delattre
Isabelle
I
Ducot
Béatrice
B
Ferrari
Patricia
P
Bongain
André
A
Kurzenne
Jean-Yves
JY
Mas
Jean-Christophe
JC
Fénichel
Patrick
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000208:ethnology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D044465:White People
D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls