Prenatal and concurrent exposure to halogenated organic compounds and gene expression of<i>CYP17A1</i>,<i>CYP19A1</i>, and oestrogen receptor α and β genes

Abstract

A 40-year antecedent prenatal exposure and concurrent levels of PCBs and DDE are associated with the expression of aromatase and 17-α-hydroxylase genes. Prenatal exposures to organochlorines may instigate long-term alterations of gene expression. Mechanisms of prenatal induction of persistent gene-expression alterations are speculated to be epigenetic in nature.