Determination of bisphenol A concentrations in human biological fluids reveals significant early prenatal exposure

TLDR

Bisphenol A, a widely used estrogenic endocrine‑disrupting chemical, is broadly present in humans and has been shown to affect preimplantation embryos, fetuses, and postnatal development at environmentally relevant doses. Using a novel ELISA, the study quantified BPA in blood, umbilical cord, ovarian follicular fluid, and amniotic fluid from premenopausal, pregnant, and IVF‑treated women. BPA concentrations of 1–2 ng/ml were found in maternal serum, follicular fluid, fetal serum, and full‑term amniotic fluid, but a markedly higher level of 8.3 ± 8.7 ng/ml appeared in mid‑gestation amniotic fluid, indicating early fetal accumulation and significant prenatal exposure.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is broad human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemical widely used for the production of plastic products. BPA is reported to affect preimplantation embryos or fetuses and alter their postnatal development at doses typically found in the environment. We measured contamination of BPA in various kinds of human biological fluids by a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from healthy premenopausal women, women with early and full-term pregnancy, and umbilical cord at full-term delivery. Ovarian follicular fluids obtained during IVF procedures and amniotic fluids obtained at mid-term and full-term pregnancy were also subject to BPA measurements. RESULTS: BPA was present in serum and follicular fluid at ∼1–2 ng/ml, as well as in fetal serum and full-term amniotic fluid, confirming passage through the placenta. Surprisingly, an ∼5-fold higher concentration, 8.3 ± 8.7 ng/ml, was revealed in amniotic fluid at 15–18 weeks gestation, compared with other fluids. CONCLUSION: These results suggest accumulation of BPA in early fetuses and significant exposure during the prenatal period, which must be considered in evaluating the potential for human exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.