In Utero Dioxin Exposure and Fertility of the Seveso Second Generation

Background/Aim: In animal studies, maternal exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is associated with decreased fertility in offspring. The Seveso Women’s Health Study (SWHS) of women exposed to TCDD in 1976 is unique in that we measured TCDD blood levels near the time of the explosion. In 2014, we initiated the Seveso Second Generation Health Study. We aim to examine the relationship of in utero TCDD exposure with time to pregnancy (TTP) and infertility among SWHS daughters. Methods: We asked SWHS children ≥ 18 years about their pregnancy history, including time to pregnancy and infertility. Of 225 daughters, 80 had attempted pregnancy. Of these, 66 had delivered a livebirth not associated with contraceptive failure and 4 reported still trying unsuccessfully after 12 or more months. We defined in utero TCDD exposure as: 1) initial maternal serum TCDD concentration and 2) TCDD estimated at pregnancy. We examined the relation of in utero TCDD to TTP (parameterized as the monthly probability...