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Background Triclosan (TCS) has been widely detected in pregnant women. The reproductive endocrine-disrupting effects of TCS have been observed in humans and animals. Little is known about the potential impact of prenatal TCS exposure on fetal reproductive development as well as its potential mechanism. Objectives We investigated the potential effect of prenatal TCS exposure on fetal reproductive hormones in cord blood and its potential mechanism in relation to placental steroidogenic enzymes. Methods Urinary TCS was detected among 537 healthy pregnant women from a prospective cohort in China. Four reproductive hormones in cord blood, namely E 2 (n = 430), T (n = 424), LH (n = 428) and FSH (n = 373), and three steroidogenic enzymes in placenta, namely P450arom (n = 233), 3β-HSD (n = 227) and 17β-HSD (n = 222), were measured. Results Prenatal TCS exposure was associated with increased testosterone concentrations in cord blood in a dose-dependent manner. Infants with prenatal TCS levels > 0.6 μg/L had, on average, a 0.23 ng/mL (95% CI: 0.05, 0.45, p = 0.02) higher testosterone concentrations in cord blood compared to those with prenatal TCS levels < 0.1 μg/L. Of note, prenatal TCS exposure was associated with increased testosterone and decreased E 2 concentrations in cord blood among male infants. Adverse associations were found between the prenatal TCS exposure and concentrations of three placental steroidogenic enzymes. 3β-HSD and P450arom demonstrated mediating effects in the association between prenatal TCS exposure and testosterone concentrations in cord blood. Conclusions Our findings suggested potential impacts of prenatal TCS exposure on reproductive hormones in cord blood mediated by steroidogenic enzymes, and male infants were more vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been phased out due to their adverse effects, and replaced by the short-chain perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS). However, the long-term impacts of PFBS on human health are unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between prenatal exposure to PFAS, especially PFBS and childhood adiposity at 5 years of age. We conducted a prospective birth cohort study involving 1,140 pregnant women from 2012 to 2017 in Shanghai. Fetal umbilical cord blood was collected at birth. A total of 404 children (196 girls) completed the adiposity measurements using a bioelectrical impedance analysis method and cord plasma PFAS measurements using LC-MS/MS. Multivariable linear models after adjustment for potential confounders were used to evaluate the associations between PFAS and childhood adiposity. The median concentration of PFAS in the cord plasma ranged from 0.05 (PFBS) to 6.74 ng/mL (PFOA). Results of multivariable linear regression found that in girls, PFBS had a significant positive association with waist circumference and waist to height ratio (P -values < 0.05). Girls in the highest tertile of PFBS concentrations had more fat mass, as well as higher body fat percentage, waist circumference, and waist to height ratio compared to those in the lowest tertile. However, girls in the second tertile of PFDoA had lower body fat percentage, waist circumference and fat mass. Adiposity at 5 years of age shows a positive association with prenatal exposure to PFBS in girls. These findings need to be further verified in larger prospective studies. • We conducted a birth cohort study in Shanghai. • Ten PFAS were measured in cord blood to assess prenatal exposure. • A total of 404 children completed both PFAS measurement and adiposity measurement using a bioelectrical impedance analysis method at 5 years old. • High exposure to PFBS may be of concern for childhood adiposity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been widely detected in different populations. However, limited data is available about exposure among family members. Objectives To investigate the PFASs levels in parents and their newborns and to understand their correlation and health implications of in utero exposure to PFASs. Methods Ten PFASs were measured in matched parental and cord serum (N = 369 families) from a birth cohort in Shandong, one of the regions seriously polluted by PFASs in China. The correlation of PFASs levels within families was examined. A questionnaire survey on maternal factors and risk assessment using the hazard quotients (HQs) approach based on maternal PFASs levels was conducted. Results Within a family, the father had the highest levels of all PFASs. Among the 10 PFASs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the highest, with 103.38, 42.83, and 34.67 ng/ml in paternal, maternal and cord serum, respectively. PFASs levels were positively correlated among family members (r = 0.14–0.91, p  < 0.01). Maternal age, body mass index (BMI); smoking history; and intake of fish, milk, poultry, vegetables and tap water were significantly related to PFASs concentrations in cord serum. Twenty-seven (7.3%) HQ values exceeded 1 for both PFOA and the sum of PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), indicating potential concern for developmental toxicity in the local newborns. Conclusions PFASs, and especially PFOA levels were extremely high and positively correlated between parents, indicating heavy pollution in this region and common sources of exposure. In utero exposure to PFASs might pose potential concern for developmental toxicity in the local newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are commonly used in industrial applications and consumer products, and their potential health impacts are of concern, especially for vulnerable population like fetuses. However, in utero exposure to PFASs and health implications are far from fully characterized in China. To fill in the gap, we analyzed 10 PFASs in cord plasma samples (N = 687) collected in Shanghai between 2011 and 2012, one of the regions widely polluted with PFASs in China. A questionnaire survey on maternal and diet-related factors was conducted. Except for perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA), all other PFASs were detected in ˃90% of the samples. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the most predominant PFAS (median value: 6.96 ng/mL), followed by perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (2.48 ng/mL). PFOA and PFOS combined contributed to 80% of the total PFASs. The final multiple regression models showed that maternal factors including maternal age, body mass index, gestational age, economic status and educational level as well as consumption of fish and wheat were significantly related with concentrations of PFASs in cord blood. The risk assessment using the hazard quotients (HQs) approach on the basis of plasma PFAS levels indicated no potential concern for developmental toxicity in the local newborns. The results demonstrate the unique profiles of local prenatal exposure to PFASs, suggesting that PFOA has been the primary human exposure due to its widespread use and pollution. Special attention to high PFOA exposure and confirmation of potential determinants should be taken as a priority in the future plan for risk management and actions in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]