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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Very low level environmental exposure to lead and prolactin levels during pregnancy
L Takser1, D Mergler, J Lafond
1Laboratoire de Physiologie Materno-foetale, Université de Quebec à Montreal, C.P. 8888, Succ.Centre Ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3P8.
Abstract:
Lead (Pb) is a well-known poison interfering with calcium homeostasis and dopaminergic pathway. We hypothesized that environmental Pb exposure can interact with prolactin (PRL) secretion, regulated by calcium and dopamine, during pregnancy and in fetus. The objective of this longitudinal study was to determine the relationships between blood Pb concentration and serum PRL levels in 101 pregnant women recruited during pregnancy and their fetuses exposed to low environmental levels of Pb. We observed a significant negative relationship between maternal blood Pb concentrations and maternal serum PRL levels. Cord blood PRL was weakly correlated with blood Pb levels. Our results suggest that maternal physiological parameters in pregnancy can be modulated by low level of Pb exposure and indicate a particular susceptibility of pregnant women to its toxic effects.
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