Associations of paternal and maternal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure with cord serum reproductive hormones, placental steroidogenic enzyme and birth weight

Background: Maternal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure has been associated with placental function and fetal growth measures. However, few studies have simultaneously investigated paternal and maternal exposure effects. Objectives: We evaluated the associations of paternal or maternal PFAS levels with placental function and fetal growth measures. Methods: We studied six PFAS measured in matched parental serums collected within 3 days before delivery in a birth cohort from LaiZhouWan, China. Outcomes evaluated include cord serum estradiol (n = 351), testosterone (n = 349), placental P450aromatase (n = 125), and birth weight (n = 369). Multiple linear regression was applied to estimate the associations for these outcomes according to paternal or maternal PFAS level after adjusting for socio-demographic confounders. Co-adjustment analysis of both paternal and maternal PFAS in the same model was performed. Results: Maternal and paternal PFAS levels were correlated (Spearman's r = 0.23-0.45). Maternal PFAS were associated with increased estradiol (e.g., PFOA: beta = 0.03, 95%CI: 0.00, 0.07), testosterone (e.g., PFUA: beta = 0.14, 95%CI: 0.00, 0.27), and P450aromatase (e.g., PFOA: beta = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.22). Maternal PFAS were also associated with a lower mean of birth weight but the estimated 95% CI included the null. Paternal PFAS were not associated with any of the outcomes evaluated. Conclusions: Several maternal PFAS were associated with fetal steroid hormones and placental enzymes. Despite a correlation of PFAS level within the couples, no association was found for paternal PFAS exposure on these outcomes. The findings suggest the intrauterine PFAS exposure effect on fetal endocrine hormones and growth is unlikely to be confounded by exposure sources or familial factors shared within the couples.

Automated summary

Maternal PFAS levels were associated with fetal steroid hormones and placental enzymes, while paternal PFAS levels showed no association with these outcomes. The findings suggest that intrauterine PFAS exposure effect on fetal endocrine hormones and growth is unlikely to be confounded by exposure sources or familial factors shared within the couples.