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Concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in human embryonic and fetal organs from first, second, and third trimester pregnancies
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: The persistent environmental contaminants perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have gained attention due to their potential adverse health effects, in particular following early life exposure. Information on human fetal exposure to PFASs is currently limited to one report on first trimester samples. There is no data available on PFAS concentrations in fetal organs throughout all three trimesters of pregnancy. METHODS: We measured the concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) in human embryos and fetuses with corresponding placentas and maternal serum samples derived from elective pregnancy terminations and cases of intrauterine fetal death. A total of 78 embryos and fetuses aged 7-42 gestational weeks were included and a total of 225 fetal organs covering liver, lung, heart, central nervous system (CNS), and adipose tissue were analyzed, together with 71 placentas and 63 maternal serum samples. PFAS concentrations were assayed by liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. RESULTS: All evaluated PFASs were detected and quantified in maternal sera, placentas and embryos/fetuses. In maternal serum samples, PFOS was detected in highest concentrations, followed by PFOA > PFNA > PFDA = PFUnA = PFHxS. Similarly, PFOS was detected in highest concentrations in embryo/fetal tissues, followed by PFOA > PFNA = PFDA = PFUnA. PFHxS was detected in very few fetuses. In general, PFAS concentrations in embryo/fetal tissue (ng/g) were lower than maternal serum (ng/ml) but similar to placenta concentrations. The total PFAS burden (i.e. the sum of all PFASs) was highest in lung tissue in first trimester samples and in liver in second and third trimester samples. The burden was lowest in CNS samples irrespective of fetal age. The placenta:maternal serum ratios of PFOS, PFOA and PFNA increased across gestation suggesting bioaccumulation in the placenta. Further, we observed that the ratios were higher in pregnancies with male fetuses compared to female fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: Human fetuses were intrinsically exposed to a mixture of PFASs throughout gestation. The compounds were detected in all analyzed tissues, suggesting that PFASs reach and may affect many types of organs. Collectively, our results demonstrate that PFASs pass the placenta and deposit to embryo and fetal tissues, calling for risk assessment of gestational exposures.
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“Interestingly, our study on fetal exposure to PFAS also found the highest exposure during mid-gestation (Mamsen et al., 2019).”
From Pregnancy-related maternal physiological adaptations and fetal chemical exposure (2023) · cites this paper as Mamsen et al., 2019
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Metadata
- Authors
- Mamsen, L. S., Björvang, R. D., Mucs, D., Vinnars, M.-T., Papadogiannakis, N., Lindh, C. H., Andersen, C. Y., & Damdimopoulou, P.
- Affiliations
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
- Lund University (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Björvang, Richelle D.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Environment International
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2019-03
- Volume
- 124
- Pages
- 482-492
- ISSN
- 0160-4120 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2913899896
- Cited by
- 338
- References
- 65
- Citations by year
- 2026: 45 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 52 · 2023: 66 · 2022: 42 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 8
- FWCI
- 14.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Environment International (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Lund University Publications (Lund University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- ReproUnion
- Novo Nordisk Fonden (10217)
- Swedish Research Council Formas (2015-623, EDC2020)
- Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Keywords
- perfluorinated compounds, fetal organs, human embryo, placenta, maternal serum, PFOS, perfluorooctanoic acid, PFNA, perfluorodecanoic acid, PFHxS, gestational age, fetal sex differences, fetal lung, fetal liver, central nervous system, adipose tissue, intrauterine fetal death
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Child, Environmental Pollutants, Female, Fetus, Fluorocarbons, Humans, Male, Placenta, Pregnancy, Maternal Exposure, Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Young Adult
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