Male specific association between xenoestrogen levels in placenta and birthweight
Nadia Vilahur1, Jose Manuel Molina-Molina, Mariona Bustamante
1Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. nvilahur@creal.cat
Insights
Prenatal exposure to xenoestrogens may increase birthweight in boys, potentially impacting later child obesity. This study analyzed the total effective xenoestrogen burden (TEXB) in relation to perinatal growth outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Background:
- Fetal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is linked to adverse health outcomes.
- Xenoestrogens, a type of EDC, are of particular concern due to their estrogenic activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the combined effect of xenoestrogens on reproductive and perinatal growth.
- To investigate the relationship between total effective xenoestrogen burden (TEXB) and child birthweight, early growth, and BMI at 14 months.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 490 placentas from the Spanish INMA birth cohort.
- Measurement of TEXB (TEXB-alpha for organohalogenated xenoestrogens, TEXB-beta for endogenous estrogens) in estrogen equivalent units (Eeq/g).
- Use of regression models adjusted for confounders, with investigation of sex interactions.
Main Results:
- Higher TEXB-alpha levels were associated with increased birthweight in boys (148.2 g, p=0.057), but not in girls.
- Increased TEXB-alpha in boys correlated with a lower risk of early rapid growth (OR=0.37) and a non-significant trend towards higher BMI z-scores at 14 months.
- Median TEXB-alpha was 0.76 pM Eeq/g.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal xenoestrogen exposure may elevate birthweight specifically in male infants.
- These findings suggest a potential link between prenatal xenoestrogen exposure and later child obesity.
- Further research is warranted to understand the long-term health implications.
Background:
Fetal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals may increase the risk for adverse health effects at birth or later in life.
Objectives:
The objective of this study is to analyze the combined effect of xenoestrogens on reproductive and perinatal growth outcomes (child birthweight, early rapid growth and body mass index (BMI) at 14 months) using the biomarker total effective xenoestrogen burden (TEXB).
Methods:
490 placentas were randomly collected in the Spanish prospective birth cohort Environment and Childhood (INMA) project. TEXB was used to assess the estrogenicity of placental samples in two fractions: that largely attributable to environmental organohalogenated xenoestrogens (TEXB-alpha), and that mostly due to endogenous estrogens (TEXB-beta), both expressed in estrogen equivalent units (Eeq) per gram of tissue. Linear or logistic regression models were performed adjusting for cohort and confounders. Sex interactions were investigated.
Results:
The median TEXB-alpha level was 0.76 pM Eeq/g (interquartile range (iqr): 1.14). In multivariate models, higher TEXB-alpha levels (third tertile, >1.22 pM Eeq/g; iqr: 1.73) were associated with increased birthweight in boys but not in girls (β=148.2 g, 95% CI: 14.01, 282.53, p(int)=0.057). Additionally, higher TEXB-alpha values in boys were related with a lower risk of early rapid growth (OR=0.37; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.88) and with a non significant association with larger BMI z-scores at 14 months of age (β=0.29; 95% CI: -0.11, 0.69).
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that prenatal exposure to xenoestrogens may increase birthweight in boys, which might have an impact on child obesity and other later health outcomes.
More Related Videos
12:17The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
Published on: August 2, 2017
05:55Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization
Published on: June 17, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:24Gonadal and Placental Hormones
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair growth — and...
02:07Oogenesis
01:41Spermatogenesis
02:32X and Y Chromosomes
The germline cells such as egg and sperm cells carry only half the number of chromosomes, i.e., 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. All eggs have an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry an X or...
02:19The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
01:23Infertility in Males