Plasma Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Concentration and Menstrual Cycle Characteristics in Preconception Women

Abstract

Background:Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent synthetic chemicals that are widely used in industrial applications and often detectable in humans. In rats, PFASs can interfere with the estrous cycle. In humans, menstruation has been viewed as a proxy of female fecundity, and periodic menstruation plays a critical role in endometrial sloughing in the absence of pregnancy and in preparing for embryo implantation.Objectives:We investigated the association between PFAS exposure and menstrual cycle characteristics in women who plan to become pregnant.Methods:Plasma level of 10 PFASs was measured in 950 women who were attempting to become pregnant and recruited in two preconception care clinics in Shanghai, China, from August 2013 to April 2015. Information on menstrual cycle characteristics was collected by questionnaires. Associations between PFAS levels and menstrual cycle regularity, length, and bleeding volume were examined using multiple logistic regression models.Results:Pre-pregnant women with higher levels of log-transformed perfluorooctanate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) had increased odds of self-reported history of irregular menstrual cycle [PFOA-adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.52 (95% CI: 1.08, 2.15); PFOS OR=1.29 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.70); PFNA OR=1.50 (95% CI: 1.03, 2.07); PFHxS OR=1.80 (95% CI: 1.17, 2.77)] and long menstrual cycle [PFOA OR=1.50 (95% CI: 1.06, 2.10); PFOS OR=1.34 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.75); PFNA OR=1.49 (95% CI: 1.05, 2.11); PFHxS OR=1.73 (95% CI: 1.13, 2.65)]. Log-transformed PFOA, PFOS, PFNA. and PFHxS levels were negatively associated with self-reported history of menorrhagia [PFOA OR=0.37 (95% CI: 0.21, 0.65); PFOS OR=0.57 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.90); PFNA OR=0.47 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.86); PFHxS OR=0.14 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.36)].Conclusions:Certain PFASs are associated with abnormal menstruation in humans. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1203

Exposure of female mice to perfluorooctanoic acid suppresses hypothalamic kisspeptin‐reproductive endocrine system through enhanced hepatic fibroblast growth factor 21 synthesis, leading to ovulation failure and prolonged dioestrus

“…Plasma PFOA was measured at the Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health in Shanghai, China. The experimental materials and methods have been described previously 6 . The concentration of PFOA was detected from 50 μL of plasma.…”

“…Le et al 62 reported that a delayed and attenuated LH surge may be a direct cause of female reproductive senescence. Ovulation failure and protraction of dioestrus in PFOA(2) mice may be associated with premature ovarian insufficiency 8 and the increase in the time until pregnancy and even infertility 6,64 . To resolve this problem, further studies are required.…”

“…The NHANES data showed that the level of serum PFOA in US (2003‐2008) woman aged 17‐39 years was 3.05 ng mL ‐1 4 . The median of plasma PFOA in reproductive women is 12.09 ng mL ‐1 in China (2000‐2015) 5 and 13.84 ng mL ‐1 in Shanghai (2013‐2015) 6 …”

“…Epidemiological studies suggest that menstrual cycles may be lengthened in women with high exposure to PFOA; 7 high serum concentrations of PFOA in women who plan to be pregnant are associated with higher odds of irregular and long menstrual cycles and hypomenorrhea 6 . A cross‐sectional analysis of women from the C8 Health Project revealed associations between higher PFOA exposure and early menopause 3 .…”

Perfluoroalkyl Substances Exposure in Early Pregnancy and Preterm Birth in Singleton Pregnancies: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…A detailed analytical method has been described elsewhere [24]. In brief, PFAS concentrations were measured in 100 μl plasma using high-performance liquid chromate graphy/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS; Agilent1290-6490, Agilent Technologies Inc., USA).…”