Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Acids and Serum Testosterone Concentrations in 15-Year Old Females

Background: Variations in testosterone production in females are associated with the occurrence of metabolic and reproductive disorders. Exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) or to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is known to increase mouse and humans PPARα subtype activity which influences lipid metabolism. Because cholesterol is the substrate from which testosterone is synthesized exposure to PFOS or PFOA have the potential to alter testosterone production. Objective: To explore associations of testosterone serum concentrations in 15-year old females with prenatal exposures to PFOS and PFOA. Methods: Prenatal concentrations of PFOS and PFOA were measured in serum collected in 1990-1992 from pregnant mothers at enrollment in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Testosterone concentrations were measured in serum obtained from daughters at age 15. We report results from linear regression models adjusted by maternal covariates (n=72). Results: PFOS showed the highest median prenatal ...