Intergenerational effects of endocrine-disrupting compounds: a review of the Michigan polybrominated biphenyl registry

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Sarah W Curtis, Emory University; Karen Conneely, Emory University; Mary E Marder, Emory University; Metrecia L Terrell, Emory University; Michele Marcus, Emory University; Alicia Smith, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-06-01
• Publisher: Future Medicine
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 Alicia K Smith.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/epi-2017-0174
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Epigenomics
• ISSN: 1750-1911
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 6
• Start Page: 845
• End Page: 858
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS; 5R01ES024790, 5R01ES025775) and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (T32GM008490).
• Keywords: MATERNAL EXPOSURE; DRUG-METABOLIZING-ENZYMES; epigenetic effects; BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANTS; EXPOSED IN-UTERO; Science & Technology; Genetics & Heredity; environmental epigenomics; POLYCHLORINATED-BIPHENYLS; PERINATAL EXPOSURE; LACTATING RATS; THYROID-HORMONE; epigenetic epidemiology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; PERSISTENT ORGANOCHLORINE POLLUTANTS; DIETARY EXPOSURE
• Research Categories: Biology, Molecular; Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology; Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are a broad class of chemicals present in many residential products that can disrupt hormone signaling and cause health problems in humans. Multigenerational cohorts, like the Michigan polybrominated biphenyl registry, are ideal for studying the effects of intergenerational exposure. Registry participants report hormone-related health problems, particularly in those exposed before puberty or those in the second generation exposed through placental transfer or breastfeeding. However, more research is needed to determine how EDCs cause health problems and the mechanisms underlying intergenerational exposure. Utilizing existing data in this registry, along with genetic and epigenetic approaches, could provide insight to how EDCs cause human disease and help to determine the risk to exposed populations and future generations.