DDT and DDE exposure in mothers and time to pregnancy in daughters

Lancet. 2003 Jun 28;361(9376):2205-6. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13776-2.

Abstract

Reproductive-tract anomalies after administration of the potent oestrogen, diethylstilboestrol, in pregnant women raised concerns about the reproductive effects of exposure to weakly oestrogenic environmental contaminants such as bis[4-chlorophenyl]-1,1,1-trichloroethane (p,p'-DDT) or its metabolites, such as bis[4-chlorophenyl]-1,1-dichloroethene (p,p'-DDE). We measured p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE in preserved maternal serum samples drawn 1-3 days after delivery between 1960 and 1963. We recorded time to pregnancy in 289 eldest daughters 28-31 years later. Daughters' probability of pregnancy fell by 32% per 10 microg/L p,p'-DDT in maternal serum (95% CI 11-48). By contrast, the probability of pregnancy increased 16% per 10 microg/L p,p'-DDE (6-27). The decreased fecundability associated with prenatal p,p'-DDT remains unexplained. We speculate that the antiandrogenic activity of p,p'-DDE may mitigate harmful androgen effects on the ovary during gestation or early life.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Androgen Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • DDT / blood
  • DDT / toxicity*
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / blood
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / pharmacology*
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Fertility / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / chemically induced*
  • Insecticides / blood
  • Insecticides / pharmacology
  • Insecticides / toxicity*
  • Maternal Exposure
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*

Substances

  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Insecticides
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene
  • DDT