Bisphenol A in human placental and fetal liver tissues collected from Greater Montreal area (Quebec) during 1998-2008

Chemosphere. 2012 Oct;89(5):505-11. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.05.003. Epub 2012 Jun 7.

Abstract

In this study, the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in human placental and fetal liver samples collected from 1998 to 2008 was investigated to provide a more detailed analysis of the transfer of BPA across the placenta and fetal exposure to BPA. The average concentrations in placental samples were 12.6 ng g(-1) for free BPA, 17.2 ng g(-1) for BPA-glu, and 30.2 ng g(-1) for total BPA. The highest concentrations in placental samples were 165 ng g(-1) for free BPA, 178 ng g(-1) for BPA-glu, and 280 ng g(-1) for total BPA. Samples with higher levels of BPA-glu had higher levels of free BPA in general. Fetal age was observed to have a significant effect on BPA-glu levels in placental samples, but not on free or total BPA. The percentages of free BPA relative to total BPA for the placental samples varied considerably from 4.2% to 100%, suggesting that the ability of maternal liver and/or the placenta to conjugate BPA is highly variable during early to mid-gestation. The average concentrations in fetal liver samples were 9.02 ng g(-1) for free BPA, 19.1 ng g(-1) for BPA-glu, and 25.8 ng g(-1) for total BPA. The highest concentrations in fetal liver samples were 37.7 ng g(-1) for free BPA, 93.9 ng g(-1) for BPA-glu, and 123 ng g(-1) for total BPA. The percentages of free BPA level relative to total BPA for all fetal liver samples varied from 12.4% to 99.1%, indicating extensive variability in the ability of the human feto-placental unit to glucuronidate BPA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Environmental Pollutants / pharmacokinetics
  • Female
  • Fetus / chemistry*
  • Fetus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Liver / chemistry*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Phenols / analysis*
  • Phenols / pharmacokinetics
  • Placenta / chemistry*
  • Placenta / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Quebec

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Phenols
  • bisphenol A