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Andrology Jul 2020Environmental chemicals that interfere with the production and/or action of hormones may have adverse effects on male reproduction. This review focuses on the possible... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Environmental chemicals that interfere with the production and/or action of hormones may have adverse effects on male reproduction. This review focuses on the possible impact of exposure to flame retardant chemicals on male reproduction. Flame retardants are added to a wide variety of combustible materials to prevent fires from starting, slow their spread, and provide time to escape. However, these chemicals are often additive so they leach out into the environment. Governments have restricted the use of polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants based on evidence that they are persistent and bioaccumulate and have adverse effects on health. The phasing out of these "legacy" flame retardants has resulted in their replacement with alternatives, such as tetrabromobisphenol A and the organophosphate esters.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature on the effects of brominated and organophosphate ester flame retardant chemicals on male reproduction.
METHODS
PubMed database was searched for studies reporting the effects of brominated and organophosphate ester flame retardants on male reproduction.
RESULTS
Cell-based, animal model, and human studies provide evidence that the polybrominated diphenyl ethers act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals; further, exposure during critical windows of development may be associated with a permanent impact on male reproduction. In vitro and animal model data are accumulating with respect to the effects of tetrabromobisphenol A and organophosphate esters, but few studies have evaluated their impact on human health.
CONCLUSIONS
More research on human exposure to replacement flame retardants and the possibility that they may be associated with adverse reproductive health outcomes is a high priority.
Topics: Animals; Bromine; Endocrine Disruptors; Environmental Pollutants; Flame Retardants; Genitalia, Male; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Male; Organophosphates; Polybrominated Biphenyls
PubMed: 32216051
DOI: 10.1111/andr.12789 -
Environmental Research Feb 2017Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are associated with impaired visual spatial abilities in toxicological studies, but no epidemiologic study has investigated PBDEs...
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are associated with impaired visual spatial abilities in toxicological studies, but no epidemiologic study has investigated PBDEs and visual spatial abilities in children. The Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment Study, a prospective birth cohort (2003-2006, Cincinnati, OH), was used to examine prenatal and childhood PBDEs and visual spatial abilities in 199 children. PBDEs were measured at 16±3 weeks gestation and at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 years using gas chromatography/isotope dilution high-resolution mass spectrometry. We used the Virtual Morris Water Maze to measure visual spatial abilities at 8 years. In covariate-adjusted models, 10-fold increases in BDE-47, -99, and -100 at 5 years were associated with shorter completion times by 5.2s (95% Confidence Interval [CI] -9.3, -1.1), 4.5s (95% CI -8.1, -0.9), and 4.7s (95% CI -9.0, -0.3), respectively. However, children with higher BDE-153 at 3 years had longer completion times (β=5.4s, 95% CI -0.3, 11.1). Prenatal PBDEs were associated with improved visual spatial memory retention, with children spending a higher percentage of their search path in the correct quadrant. Child sex modified some associations between PBDEs and visual spatial learning. Longer path lengths were observed among males with increased BDE-47 at 2 and 3 years, while females had shorter paths. In conclusion, prenatal and postnatal BDE-28, -47, -99, and -100 at 5 and 8 years were associated with improved visual spatial abilities, whereas a pattern of impairments in visual spatial learning was noted with early childhood BDE-153 concentrations.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Environmental Exposure; Female; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Male; Memory; Neuropsychological Tests; Ohio; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Retention, Psychology; Spatial Processing
PubMed: 27915227
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.11.020 -
Chemosphere Aug 2017It has been previously been shown by our lab and others that persistent organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers...
It has been previously been shown by our lab and others that persistent organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are contaminants in milk produced for human consumption. To further this research we determined the concentration of 21 PCB and 14 PBDE congeners in livestock serum, mainly bovine, across California. Congeners were extracted from serum using solid phase extraction (SPE), cleaned up by silica cartridge and quantified using gas chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry. We detected significant differences among species and the production class of cattle (beef or dairy). The sum of all 21 PCB congeners (ΣPCBs) in caprine and ovine sera had a mean value of 9.26 and 9.13 ng/mL, respectively, compared to 3.98 ng/mL in bovine sera. The mean value for the sum of all 14 PBDE congeners (ΣPBDEs) in caprine and ovine sera was 2.82 and 2.39 ng/mL, respectively, compared to 0.91 ng/mL in bovine sera. Mean ΣPCBs in dairy cattle was 5.92 ng/mL compared to 2.70 ng/mL in beef cattle. Mean ΣPBDEs in dairy cattle was 1.33 ng/mL compared to 0.70 ng/mL in beef cattle. There were no regional differences in the ΣPCBs or ΣPBDEs in cattle distributed across California. These results highlight the fact that livestock are still being exposed to these pollutants yet little is known about where this exposure may be coming from.
Topics: Animals; California; Cattle; Environmental Pollutants; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Goats; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Milk; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Sheep; Solid Phase Extraction
PubMed: 28426942
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.059 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Oct 2023Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are persistent organic pollutants with potential endocrine-disrupting effects linked to adverse health...
BACKGROUND
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are persistent organic pollutants with potential endocrine-disrupting effects linked to adverse health outcomes.
OBJECTIVES
In this study, we utilize high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) to identify internal exposure and biological responses underlying PCB and multigenerational PBB exposure for participants enrolled in the Michigan PBB Registry.
METHODS
HRM profiling was conducted on plasma samples collected from 2013 to 2014 from a subset of participants enrolled in the Michigan PBB Registry, including 369 directly exposed individuals (F0) who were alive when PBB mixtures were accidentally introduced into the food chain and 129 participants exposed to PBB or through breastfeeding, if applicable (F1). Metabolome-wide association studies were performed for PBB-153 separately for each generation and (PCB-118, PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-180) in the two generations combined, as both had direct PCB exposure. Metabolite and metabolic pathway alterations were evaluated following a well-established untargeted HRM workflow.
RESULTS
Mean levels were [standard deviation (SD): 13.9] for PBB-153 and (SD: 0.788) for . Sixty-two and 26 metabolic features were significantly associated with PBB-153 in F0 and F1 [false discovery rate (FDR) ], respectively. There were 2,861 features associated with (FDR ). Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis using a bioinformatics tool revealed perturbations associated with in numerous oxidative stress and inflammation pathways (e.g., carnitine shuttle, glycosphingolipid, and vitamin B9 metabolism). Metabolic perturbations associated with PBB-153 in F0 were related to oxidative stress (e.g., pentose phosphate and vitamin C metabolism) and in F1 were related to energy production (e.g., pyrimidine, amino sugars, and lysine metabolism). Using authentic chemical standards, we confirmed the chemical identity of 29 metabolites associated with levels (level 1 evidence).
CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that serum PBB-153 is associated with alterations in inflammation and oxidative stress-related pathways, which differed when stratified by generation. We also found that was associated with the downregulation of important neurotransmitters, serotonin, and 4-aminobutanoate. These findings provide novel insights for future investigations of molecular mechanisms underlying PBB and PCB exposure on health. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12657.
Topics: Female; Humans; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Michigan; Registries; Inflammation
PubMed: 37815925
DOI: 10.1289/EHP12657 -
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &... Oct 2019Thyroid cancer incidence is the most rapidly increasing malignancy; rates are three times higher in women than men. Thyroid hormone-disrupting flame-retardant chemicals,...
BACKGROUND
Thyroid cancer incidence is the most rapidly increasing malignancy; rates are three times higher in women than men. Thyroid hormone-disrupting flame-retardant chemicals, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), may contribute to this trend.
METHODS
We investigated the relationship between PBDE/PBB exposure and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in 250 incident female papillary thyroid cancer cases and 250 female controls frequency-matched on age. Interviews and postdiagnostic serum samples were collected from 2010 to 2013. Serum samples were analyzed for 11 congeners. We calculated ORs and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using single-pollutant logistic regression models for continuous and categorical lipid-adjusted serum concentrations of PBDE/PBB, adjusted for age, alcohol consumption, and education. We applied three multi-pollutant approaches [standard multipollutant regression models, hierarchical Bayesian logistic regression modeling (HBLR), principal components analysis (PCA)] to investigate associations with PBDE/PBB mixtures.
RESULTS
In single-pollutant models, a decreased risk was observed at the highest (>90th percentile) versus lowest (
CONCLUSIONS
Our results using single- and multi-pollutant modeling do not generally support a positive association with PBDE/PBB and PTC risk.
IMPACT
Prospective studies with more advanced statistical approaches to analyze mixtures and populations with higher exposures could reveal new insights.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Case-Control Studies; Connecticut; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Flame Retardants; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Middle Aged; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Prognosis; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; Thyroid Neoplasms
PubMed: 31387967
DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-0526 -
Clinical and Experimental Immunology Aug 1985
Review
Topics: Animals; Asbestos; Drug Hypersensitivity; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunity, Cellular; Immunocompetence; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Neoplasms; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; Rats; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 2994925
DOI: No ID Found -
Environmental Science & Technology Aug 2019Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is the most widely used brominated flame retardant (BFR), and it bioaccumulates throughout the food chains. Its fate in the first trophic...
Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is the most widely used brominated flame retardant (BFR), and it bioaccumulates throughout the food chains. Its fate in the first trophic level, plants, is of special interest. In this study, a four-day hydroponic exposure of TBBPA at a concentration of 1 μmol L to pumpkin seedlings was conducted. A nontarget screening method for hydrophilic bromine-containing metabolites was modified, based on both typical isotope patterns of bromine and mass defect, and used to process mass spectra data. A total of 20 glycosylation and malonyl glycosylation metabolites were found for TBBPA in the pumpkin plants. Representative glycosyl TBBPA reference standards were synthesized to evaluate the contribution of this glycosylation process. Approximately 86% of parent TBBPA was metabolized to form those 20 glycosyl TBBPAs, showing that glycosylation was the most dominant metabolism pathway for TBBPA in pumpkin at the tested exposure concentration.
Topics: Cucurbita; Flame Retardants; Glycosylation; Polybrominated Biphenyls
PubMed: 31283198
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02122 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Sep 2017In 1973-1974, Michigan residents were exposed to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) through an accidental contamination of the food supply. Residents were enrolled in a...
Serum Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Thyroid Function among Michigan Adults Several Decades after the 1973-1974 PBB Contamination of Livestock Feed.
BACKGROUND
In 1973-1974, Michigan residents were exposed to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) through an accidental contamination of the food supply. Residents were enrolled in a registry assembled after the incident, and they and their children participated in follow-up studies to assess subsequent health outcomes.
OBJECTIVES
We evaluated associations between serum PBBs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and markers of thyroid function among Michigan adults.
METHODS
Serum concentrations of four PBB and four PCB congeners were measured at least once in 753 adults, including 79 women who participated in a 2004-2006 study and 683 women and men with follow-up during 2012-2015. Participants completed questionnaires on health conditions (including physician-diagnosed thyroid disease), behaviors, and demographics. Thyroid hormones were measured in a subset without thyroid disease (n=551). In multivariable linear regression models, PBB and PCB congener concentrations, on both the volume (nanogram/milliliter) and lipid (nanogram/gram lipid) basis, were assessed in relation to thyroid hormones. Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between serum PBBs and PCBs and thyroid disease.
RESULTS
Thyroid disease was common (18% overall; 25% among women). Among women, all odds ratios (ORs) for PBB-153 and thyroid disease were positive for quintiles above the reference level, but estimates were imprecise and were without a monotonic increase. For an interquartile range (IQR) increase in PBB-153 (0.43 ng/mL), the OR (any thyroid disease)=1.12; (95% CI: 0.83, 1.52) (n=105 cases); for hypothyroidism, OR=1.35 (95% CI: 0.86, 2.13) (n=49 cases). There were 21 cases of thyroid disease in men [OR=0.69 (95% CI: 0.33); 1.44 for an IQR increase (0.75 ng/mL) in serum PBB-153]. PCB congeners were statistically significantly associated with greater total and free thyroxine and total triiodothyronine among women and with total and free triiodothyronine among men in lipid-standardized models.
CONCLUSIONS
We found some evidence to support associations of PBBs and PCBs with thyroid disease and thyroid hormone levels. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1302.
Topics: Adult; Animal Feed; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Food Contamination; Humans; Male; Michigan; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Thyroid Gland
PubMed: 28953452
DOI: 10.1289/EHP1302 -
Journal of Dairy Science Aug 1976The distribution and clearance of polybrominated biphenyls were determined in two cows and a calf fed polybrominated biphenyls by boluses, by placental transport to a...
The distribution and clearance of polybrominated biphenyls were determined in two cows and a calf fed polybrominated biphenyls by boluses, by placental transport to a calf from a contaminated dam, and to another calf via milk from the contaminated dam. Feces were an important route of excretion of polybrominated biphenyls during exposure and the period when the contaminated feed was cleared from the digestive tract. Approximately 50% of single intraruminal doses of these hydrocarbons were cleared by 168 h. Free polybrominated biphenyls in urine could not be quantitated. However, 24% of carbon-14 from tetrachlorobiphenyl was recovered, suggesting that significant quantities of halogenated biphenyl may be excreted in urine. Milk was also an important excretion route with one cow excreting 23% of the polybrominated biphenyl dose in 168 days. Concentrations of polybrominated biphenyls in the fat of most tissues were similar, with higher concentrations in liver and lower in the nervous system. Gross or histopathologic lesions of tissues collected at necropsy could not be related specifically to polybrominated biphenyl toxicity.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Animals; Biphenyl Compounds; Cattle; Feces; Female; Fetus; Hydrocarbons, Brominated; Lactation; Male; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Milk; Organ Specificity; Pregnancy
PubMed: 956481
DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(76)84381-0 -
Report on Carcinogens : Carcinogen... 2011
Topics: Animals; Carcinogens; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Flame Retardants; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Occupational Exposure; Polybrominated Biphenyls
PubMed: 21863083
DOI: No ID Found