In Utero and Peripubertal Metals Exposure in Relation to Reproductive Hormones and Sexual Maturation and Progression among Boys in Mexico City
Background
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as metals have been reported to alter circulating reproductive hormone concentrations and pubertal development in animals. However, the relationship has rarely been investigated among humans, with the exception of heavy metals, such as Pb and Cd. Our aim was to investigate measures of in utero and peripubertal metal exposure in relation to reproductive hormone levels and sexual maturation and progression among boys from the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) cohorts.
Methods
Our analysis included 118 pregnant women and their male children from the ELEMENT study. Essential and non-essential metals were measured in urine collected from the mothers during the third trimester of pregnancy and their male children at 8-14 years. Reproductive hormone levels serum testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), inhibin B, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in blood samples from the children at 8-14 years. We also assessed Tanner stages for sexual maturation (genital, pubic hair development, and testicular volume), at two time points (8–14, 10-18 years). We used linear regression to independently examine urinary metal levels in relation to each peripubertal reproductive hormones adjusting for child age and BMI. Generalized estimation equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the association of in utero and peripubertal metal exposures with sexual maturation and progression during follow-up based on Tanner staging and testicular volume.
Results
In utero and prepubertal concentrations of some urinary metals were associated with increased levels of peripubertal reproductive hormones, especially non-essential metal(loid)s As and Cd ( in utero ), and Ba (peripubertal) as well as essential metal Mo ( in utero ) in association with testosterone. More advanced pubic hair developmental stage and higher testicular volume at the early teen visit was observed for boys with higher non-essential metal concentrations, including in utero Al and peripubertal Ba, and essential metal Zn concentration (peripubertal). These metals were also associated with slower pubertal progression between the two visits.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that male reproductive development may be associated with both essential and non-essential metal exposure during in utero and peripubertal windows.
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In Utero and Peripubertal Metals Exposure in Relation to Reproductive Hormones and Sexual Maturation and Progression among Boys in Mexico City
On 25 Nov, 2020
On 29 Oct, 2020
On 22 Oct, 2020
On 21 Oct, 2020
On 21 Oct, 2020
On 20 Oct, 2020
Invitations sent on 14 Oct, 2020
On 14 Oct, 2020
Received 14 Oct, 2020
On 13 Oct, 2020
On 12 Oct, 2020
On 12 Oct, 2020
Received 26 Sep, 2020
On 26 Sep, 2020
Received 21 Sep, 2020
On 18 Sep, 2020
Invitations sent on 17 Sep, 2020
On 17 Sep, 2020
On 16 Sep, 2020
On 15 Sep, 2020
On 15 Sep, 2020
Posted 12 Jun, 2020
On 17 Aug, 2020
Received 16 Aug, 2020
On 25 Jul, 2020
Received 07 Jul, 2020
On 19 Jun, 2020
Invitations sent on 18 Jun, 2020
On 11 Jun, 2020
On 10 Jun, 2020
On 10 Jun, 2020
On 10 Jun, 2020
Background
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as metals have been reported to alter circulating reproductive hormone concentrations and pubertal development in animals. However, the relationship has rarely been investigated among humans, with the exception of heavy metals, such as Pb and Cd. Our aim was to investigate measures of in utero and peripubertal metal exposure in relation to reproductive hormone levels and sexual maturation and progression among boys from the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) cohorts.
Methods
Our analysis included 118 pregnant women and their male children from the ELEMENT study. Essential and non-essential metals were measured in urine collected from the mothers during the third trimester of pregnancy and their male children at 8-14 years. Reproductive hormone levels serum testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), inhibin B, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in blood samples from the children at 8-14 years. We also assessed Tanner stages for sexual maturation (genital, pubic hair development, and testicular volume), at two time points (8–14, 10-18 years). We used linear regression to independently examine urinary metal levels in relation to each peripubertal reproductive hormones adjusting for child age and BMI. Generalized estimation equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the association of in utero and peripubertal metal exposures with sexual maturation and progression during follow-up based on Tanner staging and testicular volume.
Results
In utero and prepubertal concentrations of some urinary metals were associated with increased levels of peripubertal reproductive hormones, especially non-essential metal(loid)s As and Cd ( in utero ), and Ba (peripubertal) as well as essential metal Mo ( in utero ) in association with testosterone. More advanced pubic hair developmental stage and higher testicular volume at the early teen visit was observed for boys with higher non-essential metal concentrations, including in utero Al and peripubertal Ba, and essential metal Zn concentration (peripubertal). These metals were also associated with slower pubertal progression between the two visits.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that male reproductive development may be associated with both essential and non-essential metal exposure during in utero and peripubertal windows.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3