Impact of non-occupational exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers on menstruation characteristics of reproductive-age females.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have documented effects on thyroid functions and rodent behavior in vivo. Epidemiological studies, however, have revealed only limited information about associations between PBDE exposure and menstruation characteristics. Our goal was to examine whether high breast milk PBDE levels in reproductive-age females lead to interference with menstruation characteristics. We analyzed 15 PBDE congeners in 46 breast milk samples. Fifteen PBDE congeners (BDE-15, 28, 47, 49, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183, 196, 197, 203, 207, 208, and 209) were analyzed using a gas chromatograph equipped with a high resolution mass spectrometer. The mean sum of PBDEs (SigmaPBDEs) in breast milk was 3.42 ng/g lipid. Women's age at menarche was not correlated with breast milk PBDE levels. Increased BDE-208 and 209 levels were significantly associated with the prolonged length of average and the longest menstrual cycle independent of age, pre-pregnant BMI, and parity. Higher concentrations of SigmaPBDEs and the higher brominated PBDEs from BDE-183 to 209, except 197, were significantly linked to women whose menstruation periods were still coming irregularly at the sampling time. Age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of BDE-153, 183, 207, 208, and SigmaPBDEs were significantly higher in women with length of average menstrual cycle >32 days, compared to the control. Women whose menstruation periods still came irregularly when they were 18 years old had higher age-adjusted ORs of BDE-207, 208, 209, and SigmaPBDEs than those whose periods came regularly at the same age. Although SigmaPBDEs and certain higher brominated PBDEs appear to have potential to prolong length of average menstrual cycle and delay the age when menstruation periods begin coming regularly, these findings are not conclusive because our sample size is small and more scientific evidence is needed.

Breast-milk levels of polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants in relation to women's age and pre-pregnant body mass index.

The aim of the present study was to determine associations between the occurrence of PBDEs in breast milk of women and their demographic parameters. Participants were randomly recruited from the general population in southern Taiwan. Thirty two breast milk samples were collected and subsequently 30 congeners of PBDEs were analyzed using a high resolution gas chromatograph with a high resolution mass spectrometer. The mean and median of SigmaPBDEs were 3.54 and 3.31 ng/g lipid, respectively. SigmaPBDE levels in breast milk were not significantly correlated with age and pre-pregnant BMI of Taiwanese mothers. We did find, however, that the higher hexaBDE level was significantly related to older age (>29 years). Higher levels of SigmaPBDEs and higher brominated PBDEs, such as nonaBDEs and decaBDE, had slightly but not significantly negative correlations with lower pre-pregnant BMI (< or =21 kg/m(2)). There were no significant differences in PBDE levels among parity and ethnic groups. SigmaPBDE levels in Taiwanese breast milk were lower than those reported from the United States or Canada. SigmaPBDE levels of the present study (2007-2008) are significantly lower than those found in our previous report (2000-2001). Although our results were limited by the sampling size, preliminary results suggest the exploratory relations to show positive associations of PBDE homologues (e.g. triBDEs and hexaBDEs) with maternal age. PBDEs pattern of breast milk may have changed after pentaBDEs were stopped to use in Taiwan.

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in breast milk correlated to maternal age, education level, and occupational exposure.

The aim of the present study is to determine whether levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in breast milk in the general population are associated with demographic parameters, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and occupational exposure. Forty-six participants are randomly selected from healthy women recruited between April 2007 and April 2008 from local hospitals in southern Taiwan. Thirty PBDE isomers in breast milk are analyzed using a gas chromatograph with a high resolution mass spectrometer. The mean+/-standard deviation of Sigma PBDEs in breast milk is 3.59+/-1.07 ng/g lipid. Our current value of Sigma PBDEs in breast milk is 0.7-fold lower compared to the past value in our previous study between 2000 and 2001. Higher levels of Sigma PBDEs might be significantly associated with older maternal age and maternal age of the present study is between 22 and 42 years old. Levels of Sigma PBDEs and certain PBDEs in breast milk are not correlated with maternal pre-pregnant BMI (Body mass index), parity, and lipid contents of breast milk. The Sigma PBDEs level in breast milk is lower in more educated women after controlling for age and pre-pregnancy BMI in our subjects. The main factors associated with Sigma PBDEs in breast milk are age and education level among the binary variables of demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle characteristics in this report. The exploratory relationships are found between PBDEs in breast milk and age, education level, or occupational exposure due to small sampling size.