Link between PFBS, E1G levels in adolescent girls suggests ovarian effects

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also called “forever chemicals,” are normally detected in healthy girls, according to a study. Specifically, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) shows a positive association with estrone-3-glucuronide (E1G) levels, indicating potential ovarian effects.

Thirty-eight girls (mean age 12.8 years, gynaecologic age 0.3 years) participated in the study and completed menstrual diaries. They also contributed daily urine samples to measure their creatinine (Cr)-corrected luteinizing hormone (LH), E1G, and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PdG).

The authors then measured 24 PFAS (n=88 serum samples, average 2.32 sample/participant over the course of 1.20 years) using mass spectrometry. They explored the associations between PFAS and total cycle, follicular phase, and luteal phase lengths and hormone levels using linear mixed-effects models. Models were adjusted for gynaecologic age, body fat percentage, and race/ethnicity.

The majority of the girls were non-Hispanic White and had normal weight. The most common PFAS detected were PFBS, perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. No associations were observed between PFAS and cycle length or variability.

On the other hand, PFBS positively correlated with peak E1G levels (β, 0.15, 95 percent confidence interval, 0.00‒0.29; p=0.049). However, no species were associated with peak LH or PdG levels.

“Analyses are ongoing to understand PFAS exposure sources and to determine if ongoing exposure may impact reproductive health,” the authors said.

“Certain PFAS exposures have been associated with reproductive abnormalities in women, but limited data exist in adolescents,” they noted.