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Effects of Serum Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Levels on the Association between Fetal Growth and Per- and

Dan Cai1,2,3, Shen-Pan Li1, Yu-Ting Guo1

  • 1Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.

Environmental Science & Technology
|February 19, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure, particularly perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) isomers, is linked to increased preterm birth or low birth weight risk. Cord insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) mediates these associations, impacting fetal growth.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Endocrinology
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) are crucial for fetal development.
  • The impact of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on fetal growth, mediated by these hormones, is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mediating role of cord IGF1 in the association between PFAS exposure and fetal growth outcomes.
  • To examine the relationship between specific PFAS isomers and risks of preterm birth or low birth weight (PTB/LBW).

Main Methods:

  • A nested case-control study involving 258 paired mother-infant serum samples.
  • Measurement of 34 PFAS, IGF1, and insulin levels.
  • Statistical analysis to assess mediation effects of cord IGF1.

Main Results:

  • Exposure to specific perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) isomers significantly increased PTB/LBW risk.
  • Cord IGF1 explained a notable percentage of the association between PFOS isomers and PTB/LBW.
  • Cord IGF1 mediated 12.3% to 44.6% of the associations between PFOS isomers, perfluorooctanoate acid (PFOA), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) with fetal growth indices.

Conclusions:

  • Cord IGF1 plays a significant mediating role in the adverse effects of PFAS exposure on fetal growth.
  • Findings highlight potential endocrine-disrupting mechanisms of PFAS impacting prenatal development.

Keywords:
adverse outcomesfetal growth indexinsulininsulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)mediationper- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

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