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. 2005 Aug;113(8):1039-45.
doi: 10.1289/ehp.7685.

Thyroid hormones in pregnancy in relation to environmental exposure to organochlorine compounds and mercury

Larissa Takser  1 , Donna Mergler, Mary Baldwin, Sylvie de Grosbois, Audrey Smargiassi, Julie Lafond
Affiliations

Thyroid hormones in pregnancy in relation to environmental exposure to organochlorine compounds and mercury

Larissa Takser et al. Environ Health Perspect. 2005 Aug.

Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated pesticides, and mercury are global environmental contaminants that can disrupt the endocrine system in animals and humans. However, there is little evidence that they can interfere with endocrine status in pregnant women and neonates at low levels of exposure. The aim of this study was to examine thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy and in cord blood in relation to blood concentrations of organochlorine compounds (OCs) and Hg in healthy women recruited during pregnancy. We found a significant negative correlation between maternal total triiodothyronine levels and three non-coplanar congeners (PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-180), three pesticides (p,p -DDE, cis-nanochlor, and hexachlorobenzene), and inorganic Hg independently, without any other changes in thyroid status. No significant relationships were observed between OCs and cord serum thyroid hormones. Cord serum free thyroxin was negatively correlated with inorganic Hg. These results suggest that at even low levels of exposure, persistent environmental contaminants can interfere with thyroid status during pregnancy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Change in TT3 (nM) and fT4 (pM) levels between second trimester and delivery in pregnant women by group of exposure, adjusted to gestational age at sampling. p = 0.006 for TT3 but fT4 was not statistically significant.
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