Prenatal Exposure to Glyphosate and Its Environmental Degradate, Aminomethylphosphonic Acid (AMPA), and Preterm Birth: A Nested Case–Control Study in the PROTECT Cohort (Puerto Rico)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Glyphosate (GLY) is the most heavily used herbicide in the world. Despite nearly ubiquitous exposure, few studies have examined prenatal GLY exposure and potentially adverse pregnancy outcomes. Preterm birth (PTB) is a risk factor for neonatal mortality and adverse health effects in childhood. OBJECTIVES: We examined prenatal exposure to GLY and a highly persistent environmental degradate of GLY, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and odds of PTB in a nested case-control study within the ongoing Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) pregnancy cohort in northern Puerto Rico. METHODS: GLY and AMPA in urine samples collected at 18 ± 2 (Visit 1) and 26 ± 2 (Visit 3) wk gestation (53 cases/194 randomly selected controls) were measured using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate associations with PTB (delivery <37 wk completed gestation). RESULTS: Detection rates in controls were 77.4% and 77.5% for GLY and 52.8% and 47.7% for AMPA, and geometric means (geometric standard deviations) were 0.44 (2.50) and 0.41 ð2:56Þ lg=L for GLY and 0.25 (3.06) and 0.20 ð2:87Þ lg=L for AMPA, for Visits 1 and 3, respectively. PTB was significantly associated with specific gravity-corrected urinary GLY and AMPA at Visit 3, whereas associations with levels at Visit 1 and the Visits 1-3 average were largely null or inconsistent. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for an interquartile range increase in exposure at Visit 3 were 1.35 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.83) and 1.67 (95% CI: 1.26, 2.20) for GLY and AMPA, respectively. ORs for Visit 1 and the visit average were closer to the null. DISCUSSION: Urine GLY and AMPA levels in samples collected near the 26th week of pregnancy were associated with increased odds of PTB in this modestly sized nested case-control study. Given the widespread use of GLY, multiple potential sources of AMPA, and AMPA's persistence in the environment, as well as the potential for long-term adverse health effects in preterm infants, further investigation in other populations is warranted.

Commentary: Novel strategies and new tools to curtail the health effects of pesticides

“…However, current regulatory systems have often failed to detect and/or mitigate some of the health effects triggered by pesticides. Examples include damage to the neurological system and brain from chlorpyrifos and other organophosphates [ 19 , 21 ], the impact of exposures to glyphosate-based herbicides on non-Hodgkin lymphoma [ 15 , 22 , 23 ], and adverse reproductive impacts of multiple pesticides [ 24 , 25 ]. These failures to detect and prevent adverse health outcomes arise from systemic shortcomings in how regulators, industry and public health professionals assess pesticide risks and strive to mitigate them.…”

“… The role paraquat has played in the etiology of Parkinson’s disease [ 26 – 28 ], Impacts of prenatal exposures to glyphosate-based herbicide on preterm births [ 24 , 29 ], the gut microbiome [ 30 ], and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [ 31 , 32 ], and Exposures leading to autism and autoimmune diseases [ 20 , 33 ]. …”

“…Impacts of prenatal exposures to glyphosate-based herbicide on preterm births [ 24 , 29 ], the gut microbiome [ 30 ], and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [ 31 , 32 ], and…”

Glyphosate Exposure during Pregnancy and Preterm Birth (More Research Is Needed)

“…The study by Silver et al (2021) estimates highly suggestive associations of early life exposures to pesticides and effects. It is valuable to have this evidence.…”

“…The extensive use of pesticides worldwide constitutes a significant part of global changes resulting from chemical pollution and ecosystem degradation (Landrigan et al 2018). In the case of glyphosate, widespread use has resulted in the presence of residues in house dust, soil, water, and foods (U.S. EPA 2018; see also Silver et al 2021 for additional references). Apart from classical cohort epidemiologic studies, we now also need transdisciplinary research and action applying planetary health approaches to capture and eventually prevent the broader health effects of pesticides (Halonen et al 2021).…”