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. 2016 Feb 2;50(3):1587-94.
doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5b05316. Epub 2016 Jan 15.

Placental Metal Concentrations in Relation to Maternal and Infant Toenails in a U.S. Cohort

Tracy Punshon  1 , Zhigang Li  2 , Carmen J Marsit  2 , Brian P Jackson  1 , Emily R Baker  3 , Margaret R Karagas  2
Affiliations

Placental Metal Concentrations in Relation to Maternal and Infant Toenails in a U.S. Cohort

Tracy Punshon et al. Environ Sci Technol. .

Abstract

Metal contaminants cross the placenta, presenting a heightened risk of perturbing fetal development. Information about placental concentrations and transfer of multiple potentially toxic metals from low to moderate exposure is lacking. We measured concentrations of Cd, Pb, Hg, Mn, Se, and Zn in 750 placentas collected from women enrolled in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study and examined the correlation between elements, and profiles of potentially toxic metals (Cd, Pb, Hg, and Mn) stratified by nutrient concentrations (Zn and Se) using principal components analyses. We further examined the indirect effects of maternal metal concentrations on infant metal concentrations through placental metal concentrations using structural equation models. Placental metal concentrations were all correlated, particularly Zn and Mn, and Zn and Cd, and the principal component of metals differed by stratum of high versus low Zn and Se. Associations were observed between placenta and maternal toenail Se (β = 63.49; P < 0.0001) and Pb (β = 0.90; P < 0.0001) but not other metals. Structural equation models did not indicate any statistically significant indirect effects through placental metal concentrations. Placental metal concentrations may represent a distinct biomarker of metal exposure and adverse health impacts to the fetus, particularly those stemming from the placenta.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rS) matrix for (A) All participants: concentrations of metals measured in 694 placental specimens from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, and (B) Subgroups: Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rS) matrix for concentrations of metals measured in placental specimens stratified into those with above or below the median concentration of selenium (272 ng/g) and zinc (10.11 µg/g). Shading indicates corresponding P value as shown, and ns = not significant.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Principal components analysis of placental metal concentrations for 756 participants in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, stratified by their median concentrations of Zn (left, stratified at 10.1 µg/g) and Se (right, at 272 ng/g).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Maternal fetal metal transfer models for Cd, Hg and Pb
The model shows beta coefficients (β), sample size (N) and P values (if < 0.05) from structural equation modeling between maternal toenail, placental biopsies and infant toenail metal concentration data.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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