 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Gayle C. Windham, PhD1, Patrick R. Mitchell, DrPH1, Myrto Petreas, PhD2, Diana Lee, MPH, RD1, and Bill L. Lasley, PhD3. (1) Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Health Services, 1515 Clay Street, Suite 1700, Oakland, CA 94612, 510-622-4500, gwindham@dhs.ca.gov, (2) Hazardous Materials Laboratory, CA Dept. of Toxic Substances Control, 2151 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, (3) Institute of Toxicology and Environmental Health, University of California, Old Davis Road, Davis, CA 95616
This study was designed to examine effects of hormonally-active agents on ovarian function in Laotian immigrants who may have higher exposure from their home country as well as from local sport fish consumption. Lao field workers recruited 50 Southeast Asian women of reproductive age to complete two interviews, provide a blood sample, and collect first morning urine samples daily during three menstrual cycles. The urine samples were assayed for metabolites of estrogen and progesterone, from which several menstrual cycle parameters were calculated. The mean cycle length (n=148) was 30.4 days (standard deviation (SD) 7.0). The serum was assayed for organochlorine compounds including DDT and its metabolite DDE. All women had detectable levels, with a mean of 1.7 ppb (SD 3.5) and 20.3 ppb (SD 22.5) respectively, indicating higher body burdens than comparable U.S. populations. The covariates related to exposure included age, parity, breastfeeding, and time in Thailand. At the highest quartile of exposure levels, mean cycle length was decreased by 3.5 days with DDE and by 4.4 days with DDT, compared to the lowest quartile. Adjusting for total lipid level attenuated the decrements only slightly. Adjusting for other demographic variables attenuated the decrements more strongly for DDT than DDE. The logarithm of DDE level was statistically significantly inversely associated with cycle length. The decrease in length was reflected as a significant decrease in luteal phase length, or the second part of the cycle, indicating a potential effect on progesterone and perhaps ultimately the likelihood of pregnancy implantation.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Environmental Exposures, Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.