Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT2939

Background: Ano-genital distances (AGDs) are androgen-dependent body characteristics influenced by the intra- and extra-uterine-hormonal environment. Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental contaminants and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with reproductive toxicity and anti-androgenic effects. The aim of this study is to assess phthalates exposure during the first 3 years of life in a cohort of healthy term infants and their mothers and the possible association with AGDs.

Methods:: Single-center, prospective birth-cohort study, assessing phthalates exposure in single urine samples collected at birth(T0), 3(T3), 6 (T6), and 36 (T36) months in children, and at T0 and T36 in mothers. After solid-phase extraction, samples were analyzed for 8 major phthalate metabolites (MMP, MEP, MnBP, MBzP, MEHP, MEHHP, MEOHP, MCOP) by triple Quad LC/MS Mass Spectrometry. Then we evaluated Hazard Indices based on EFSA’ tolerable daily intake (HI-TDI) and on reference doses for anti-androgenicity (HI-RfD-AA), to estimate the potential synergic effect of different phthalates on development reproduction. Ano-penile distance (AGD-AP), ano-scrotal distance (AGD-AS) and penile length (PL) for male, ano-fourchette distance (AGD-AF) and ano-clitoris distance (AGD-AC) for female, were measured by a Vernier caliper at each timepoint. Spearman correlation coefficient between HIs and AGDs were calculated.

Results: A total of 188 mother–infant pairs were enrolled. The table summaries AGDs values (means±S.D.) in males and females. In males AGD-AP at T36 showed a significant strong negative correlation with HI-TDI and HI-RfD-AA in mothers at T0 (r:−0.569 P<0.001and r:−0.500 P<0.001, respectively). Moreover, negative associations were detected for PL and mothers’ HI-TDI and HI-RfD-AA at T36 (r:−0.299 P:0.057 and r: −0.342 P:0.029, respectively). At T36 in females moderate-strong negative correlations was detected between AGD-AF and HI-TDI and HI-RfD-AA at T3 and at T6 (r:−0.436 P:0.026, r:−0.403 P:0.041; and r:−396 P:0.045, r:−0.446 P:0.022; respectively); and between AGD-AC and HI-TDI and HI-RfD-AA at T3 and T36 (r:−0.478 P:0.013, r:−0.523 P:0.006; and r:−0.533 P:0.002, r:−0.465 P:0.01; respectively).

Conclusions: The development of AGDs during the first three years of life appears to be influenced by environmental factors that may also affect the child’s later sexual development.