A Comprehensive Non-targeted Analysis Study of the Prenatal Exposome

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Metabolomics
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Technological advancements in mass spectrometry enable broad screening of chemical compounds.
• Characterizing the human exposome during critical developmental periods is crucial for understanding health impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• Analyze 590 matched maternal and cord blood samples using non-targeted analysis (NTA).
• Examine chemical abundance differences between maternal and cord blood.
• Investigate associations between exogenous chemicals and endogenous metabolites.

Main Methods:

• High-resolution liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS) was employed.
• Analysis included positive and negative electrospray ionization (ESI+ and ESI-) and MS/MS modes.
• Compounds were confirmed with standards, tentatively identified via MS/MS, and annotated using algorithms.

Main Results:

• 19 compounds were confirmed, 73 tentatively identified, and 98 annotated.
• Significant associations (103 in maternal, 128 in cord samples) were found between endogenous and exogenous compounds.
• Poly and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) showed associations with endogenous fatty acids in both sample types.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully characterized a broad spectrum of chemicals in maternal and cord blood.
• Observed associations suggest potential interactions between environmental chemicals (e.g., PFASs) and the body's endogenous metabolic pathways.
• These findings highlight the utility of NTA for exposome research in developmental biology.