Abstract
Background: Nonylphenols (NP) has been proven as an environmental hormone and the estrogenic effects of NP are well documented in vivo and vitro study. The influence of human NP exposure and sexual hormone is still unclear, especially for the most susceptible fetus. The objective of this study is to explore the association between NP and estradiol as well as testosterone in the cord blood. Methods: A pregnant women cohort was established in North Taiwan from March 2010 to June 2011. Pregnant women were asked to complete a questionnaire consisted of information on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary consumption. Information on personal disease and reproductive history were acquired from hospital information system. Cord blood samples were collected immediately after delivery. NP concentration in the core blood was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescent detection. Estradiol and testosterone were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: A total number of cord blood sample was 100. The average concentration was 12.64 ±13.07 ng/g plasma for NP, 1.43±0.52 ng/ml for testosterone, and 10.38±6.73 ng/ml for estradiol. Above-75 percentile levels of umbilical NP were significantly associated with decreased testosterone (β=-0.30 ng/ml, p=0.01) after adjusting gestational weeks, maternal age and weight gain, birth gender, and other endocrine-related diseases. Conclusion: Levels of NP are associated with a risk of decreased testosterone in the cord blood. The mechanism between NP exposure and sexual hormone on fetus need to be further investigated.
Keywords: Nonylphenol, pregnant women, sexual hormone
