Urinary Biomarkers of Prenatal Atrazine Exposure and Adverse Birth Outcomes in the PELAGIE Birth Cohort

Abstract

Background: Despite evidence of atrazine toxicity in developing organisms from experimental studies, few studies—and fewer epidemiologic investigations—have examined the potential effects of prenatal exposure.Objectives: We assessed the association between adverse birth outcomes and urinary biomarkers of prenatal atrazine exposure, while taking into account exposures to other herbicides used on corn crops (simazine, alachlor, metolachlor, and acetochlor).Methods: This study used a case-cohort design nested in a prospective birth cohort conducted in the Brittany region of France from 2002 through 2006. We collected maternal urine samples to examine pesticide exposure biomarkers before the 19th week of gestation.Results: We found quantifiable levels of atrazine or atrazine mercapturate in urine samples from 5.5% of 579 pregnant women, and dealkylated and identified hydroxylated triazine metabolites in 20% and 40% of samples, respectively. The presence versus absence of quantifiable levels of atrazine or a specific atrazine metabolite was associated with fetal growth restriction [odds ratio (OR) = 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0–2.2] and small head circumference for sex and gestational age (OR = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0–2.7). Associations with major congenital anomalies were not evident with atrazine or its specific metabolites. Head circumference was inversely associated with the presence of quantifiable urinary metolachlor.Conclusions: This study is the first to assess associations of birth outcomes with multiple urinary biomarkers of exposure to triazine and chloroacetanilide herbicides. Evidence of associations with adverse birth outcomes raises particular concerns for countries where atrazine is still in use.

Exposure to the widely used herbicide atrazine results in deregulation of global tissue-specific RNA transcription in the third generation and is associated with a global decrease of histone trimethylation in mice

“…A study in a French cohort showed the association between the presence of low-dose ATZ metabolites in pregnant mothers and low birth weight in newborns (55). This study raises the possibility that exposure to ATZ can directly alter the fetal developmental program and that ATZ-induced effects can be inherited across generations.…”

“…Recent study showed that ATZ also affects DNA methylation in plants (38). In mammals, ATZ exposure affects many tissues, including testes (39–42), ovaries (43–47), brain (48,49), liver (50–54) and the presence of low dose metabolites of ATZ is associated with low birth weight in human (55). …”

An LC-MS/MS based survey of contaminants of emerging concern in drinking water in South Africa

“…Atrazine is a herbicide used for the control of broadleaf weeds in the maize, sorghum and sugar cane agricultural industries. Epidemiological studies showed a correspondence between elevated atrazine levels in drinking water and low sperm volume and motility 10 , foetal growth defects, including restriction 11 , small-for-gestational-age 12 and intrauterine growth retardation 13 , foetal gastroschisis 14 and increases in limb reductions (upper and lower), hypospadias and epispadias, cryptorchidism, and spina bifida 15 . Terbuthylazine is a general, broad-spectrum pre-or post-emergence herbicide used in agriculture.…”

Does Zika Really Have the Capacity to Affect the Nervous System and Cause Microcephaly or Intracranial Calcifications?

“…Previous studies have linked pesticide exposure to microcephaly and other birth defects [37]. In the case of the insecticide atrazine, one study concluded: "The presence versus absence of quantifiable levels of atrazine or a specific atrazine metabolite was associated with fetal growth restriction… and small head circumference for sex and gestational age…" [38].…”