Disruption of sex hormones and oxidative homeostasis in parturient women and their matching fetuses at an e-waste recycling site in China

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Electronic waste (e-waste) disposal poses a major health concern in developing countries. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether prenatal exposure to e-waste pollutants affects sex hormones and oxidative status. METHODS: Parturient women living in an e-waste recycling site (exposed subjects, n = 46) and a reference site (referents, n = 44) were recruited. RESULTS: Compared with referents, the levels of sex hormones estradiol and progesterone were significantly elevated in exposed subjects (P<0.05); a significant increase in the mRNA levels of estrogen receptor alpha and beta, and a significant decrease in the mRNA levels of progesterone receptor were detected in exposed subjects (P<0.05); a significant increase in malondialdehyde, and suppression of the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (P<0.05) were observed in exposed subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that sex hormones and oxidative homeostasis were disrupted in pregnant women and their fetuses at the e-waste recycling site.