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Maternal and paternal preconception exposure to phenols and preterm birth

Vicente Mustieles1, Yu Zhang2, Jennifer Yland3

  • 1University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Spain. Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs GRANADA, Spain. Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 18100, Spain.

Environment International
|March 3, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Maternal preconception exposure to BPA and BPS, and paternal exposure to parabens, are linked to increased preterm birth risk. This highlights preconception environmental exposures as critical factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Perinatal Epidemiology

Background:

  • Phenol exposure during pregnancy is linked to preterm birth.
  • The impact of preconception parental exposure to phenols on pregnancy outcomes remains unclear.
  • The preconception period is recognized as a vulnerable window for reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal and paternal preconception urinary concentrations of select phenols and the risk of preterm birth.
  • To assess the role of environmental exposures before conception in adverse pregnancy outcomes among couples undergoing fertility care.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of urinary phenol biomarkers (BPA, BPS, benzophenone-3, triclosan, ΣParabens) from mothers and fathers prior to conception.
  • Inclusion of 417 mothers and 229 fathers from the EARTH Study (2005-2018).
  • Estimation of preterm birth risk using modified Poisson regression models adjusted for covariates.

Main Results:

  • Maternal preconception bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) concentrations were associated with increased preterm birth risk.
  • Paternal preconception parabens (ΣParabens) concentrations showed a potential association with elevated preterm birth risk.
  • No significant associations were found for benzophenone-3 or triclosan in either parent.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal preconception BPA and BPS, and paternal preconception parabens, are associated with a higher risk of preterm birth.
  • Preconception exposure to phenols may represent an unrecognized risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes in subfertile couples.
Abstract

Keywords:
BenzophenoneBisphenolParabenPreconceptionPreterm birthTriclosan

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