title: Prenatal exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants and female reproductive function in young adulthood.
abstract: The biopersistent organochlorine pollutants dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can be detected in humans worldwide. The chemicals can cross the placenta and may interfere with endogenous hormonal homeostasis.
  
  
  
  To investigate effects on female reproduction following intrauterine exposure to selected biopersistent organochlorines.
  
  
  
  We used data from a Danish pregnancy cohort with follow-up on 436 eligible daughters at approximately 20years of age. Information on age of menarche (n=335), menstrual cycle length (n=230) and serum concentrations of reproductive hormones (n=243) was obtained. Number of antral follicles was counted by vaginal ultrasound (n=147). Of 244 daughters who attended clinical examination, 170 used hormonal contraceptives and 74 were non-users. Concentrations of p,p'-DDE, HCB and six PCB congeners were analysed in maternal serum samples obtained in pregnancy week 30.
  
  
  
  Age of menarche and menstrual cycle length were found not to be statistically significant associated with prenatal organochlorine exposure. Among non-users of hormonal contraceptives with information on antral follicle number (n=43), daughters exposed to the highest tertile of p,p'-DDE had 28% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 5; 46%) lower follicle number compared to the low-level exposed reference group. Those exposed to medium and higher levels of HCB had 30% (95% CI: 5; 48%) and 28% (95% CI: 7; 44%) lower follicle number compared to the reference group. Furthermore, maternal serum HCB concentrations were inversely associated with free androgen index among non-users of hormonal contraceptives (n=73). These associations were not found in users of hormonal contraceptives.
  
  
  
  Among non-users of hormonal contraceptives, we found indications of adverse long-term effects on female reproduction following prenatal exposure to biopersistent organochlorines. These findings may have wide implications for public health as intrauterine exposure occurs worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Regional Hospital of Randers, Denmark. Electronic address: susankst@rm.dk.
authors.forename: Susanne Lund
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Section for Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Cecilia Høst
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ramlau-Hansen
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, and Institute of Anatomy, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.affiliation: Centre for Fetal Programming, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Sjurdur Frodi
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital of Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jens Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bonde
authors.affiliation: Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vested
authors.affiliation: Centre for Fetal Programming, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark; Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Thorhallur Ingi
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Halldorsson
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Environmental Health, Chemical Exposure Unit, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Panu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rantakokko
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Environmental Health, Chemical Exposure Unit, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kiviranta
authors.affiliation: Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Toft
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D008572:Menarche; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012098:Reproduction; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
keywords: Epidemiology; Female reproduction; Fetal development; Ovary; Persistent organochlorines