title: Fetal bisphenol A exposure: concentration of conjugated and unconjugated bisphenol A in amniotic fluid in the second and third trimesters.
abstract: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic compound widely used in polycarbonate plastics. The placental enzyme β-glucuronidase may deconjugate BPA into its "free" active form. We sought to quantify levels of conjugated and free BPA in second and third trimester amniotic fluid. Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used to measure BPA concentrations in 20 second trimester and 20 third trimester amniotic fluid specimens. Total BPA was detected in 16/20 second trimester samples; levels ranged from non-detectable to 0.75ng/mL (median 0.47ng/mL). Free BPA was detected in 9/20 second trimester samples; levels ranged from 0.31 to 0.43ng/mL (median 0.38ng/mL). Total BPA was detected in 2/20 third trimester samples. Free BPA was detected in 1/20 (0.42ng/mL). When detected, free BPA comprised 83% and 91% of total BPA in second and third trimester amniotic fluid, respectively. Placental β-glucuronidase may deconjugate BPA, increasing fetal exposure to free BPA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. aedlow@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
authors.forename: Andrea G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Edlow
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Nicole A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Chensheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: McElrath
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second / Q000378:metabolism; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000378:metabolism; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D010636:Phenols; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds