Exposure to polyfluoroalkyl chemicals during pregnancy is not associated with offspring age at menarche in a contemporary British cohort

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Krista Yorita Christensen, Emory University; Mildred Maisonet, Emory University; Carol Rubin, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Adrianne Holmes, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Antonia M. Calafat, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Kayoko Kato, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; William Flanders, Emory University; Jon Heron, University of Bristol; Michael A. McGeehin, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Michele Marcus, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-01
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2010.08.007
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Environment International
• ISSN: 0160-4120
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 129
• End Page: 135
• Grant/Funding Information: The UK Medical Research Council; the Wellcome Trust; and the University of Bristol provide core support for ALSPAC.; This work was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Keywords: Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals; Environmental Sciences; Menarche; PUBERTAL MATURATION; ENVIRONMENTAL-FACTORS; LEYDIG-CELL FUNCTION; PERFLUORINATED CHEMICALS; PERFLUOROOCTANOIC ACID; NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY; Environmental Sciences & Ecology; ALSPAC; MINNOWS GOBIOCYPRIS-RARUS; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; PEROXISOME PROLIFERATORS; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; AMMONIUM PERFLUOROOCTANOATE; NATIONAL-HEALTH; Science & Technology
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

Introduction: Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) are commercially synthesized chemicals used in consumer products. Exposure to certain PFCs is widespread, and some PFCs may act as endocrine disruptors. We used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) in the United Kingdom to conduct a nested case-control study examining the association between age at menarche, and exposure to PFCs during pregnancy. Methods: Cases were selected from female offspring in the ALSPAC who reported menarche before the age of 11.5. years (n=218), and controls were a random sample of remaining girls (n=230). Serum samples taken from the girls' mothers during pregnancy (1991-1992) were analyzed using on-line solid-phase extraction coupled to isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for 8 PFCs. Logistic regression was used to determine association between maternal serum PFC concentrations, and odds of earlier age at menarche. Results: PFOS and PFOA were the predominant PFCs (median serum concentrations of 19.8. ng/mL and 3.7. ng/mL). All but one PFC were detectable in most samples. Total PFC concentration varied by number of births (inverse association with birth order; p-value < 0.0001) and race of the child (higher among whites; p-value=0.03). The serum concentrations of carboxylates were associated with increased odds of earlier age at menarche; concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonamide, the sulfonamide esters and sulfonates were all associated with decreased odds of earlier age at menarche. However, all confidence intervals included the null value of 1.0. Conclusions: ALSPAC study participants had nearly ubiquitous exposure to most PFCs examined, but PFC exposure did not appear to be associated with altered age at menarche of their offspring.