Estimated daily intake of pesticides and xenoestrogenic exposure by fruit consumption in the female population from a Mediterranean country (Spain)

The presence and concentrations of a total of 100 pesticides in apple samples (n = 30) and 65 in orange juice samples (n = 19) were determined in markets in Madrid (Spain). The presence of at least one pesticide residue was detected in 87% (26 of 30) of samples of apples and 16% (3 of 19) of orange juice samples; orange juices contained only residues from a single pesticide (organophosphates), whilst nearly 75% (19 of 26) of apples showing residues contained more than one compound (organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids and others). However, overall, the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of the different pesticides, from fruit consumption, in Spanish female population were negligible; although is concerning that prepubertal girls accounted for the highest percentages. The analysis of the estimated estrogenic intake also showed minor exposure to pesticides; in this case, the highest intake occurring in perimenopausal women, while the lowest intake happened at childbearing age. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Contribution of fish consumption to heavy metals exposure in women of childbearing age from a Mediterranean country (Spain)

The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) were determined in samples from sword-fish (Xiphias gladius, n = 37) and louvar (Luvarus imperialis, n = 17) taken in an official surveillance programme in Madrid (Spain). The levels of heavy metals were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (hydride generator for Hg and flame atomic absorption for Cd and Pb) after digestion of the samples (microwave digestion for Hg and drying chamber for Cd and Pb). Pb contamination was negligible in both species. Cd was detected in 89.19% of the samples from sword-fish and 52.94% from louver; 17.65% of louvar and none from sword-fish being higher than maximum residue limits (MRL). However, around 90% of louvar samples and around 35% of sword-fish portions exceeded MRL for Hg; around 30% of louvar samples having levels even higher than 1 μg/g. The consumption of one serving of 150 g either of louvar or sword-fish would not be relevant for Cd and Pb provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of these elements for women in childbearing age, but it would largely exceed the tolerable values for Hg. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Toxicokinetics of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and its effects on luteal function in sheep

The aim of the present study was to determine the toxicokinetics of short-term exposures to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and its effects on ovarian cyclicity and luteal function using a sheep experimental model. For establishing the model,we examined the clearance of DEHP after intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration of a single dose of 25 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) and after i.m. administration of two different doses (25 and 50 mg/kg b.w.; DEHP25 and DEHP50, respectively) three times a week for two months. Results showed a significant, dose-dependent effect of DEHP administration, when compared to the control group (CTL; untreated ewes; n = 6), on the duration of the ewes' estrous cycles (17.1 ± 0.5 days, CTL; 15.1 ± 0.9 days, DEHP25; 12.0 ± 0.8 days, DEHP50; p < 0.05); 94.9% of the cycles were of regular duration (15-19 days) in CTL, but only 51.1% and 25.4% in DEHP25 and DEHP50, respectively. Corpora lutea (CL) were smaller in DEHP50 than in DEHP25 ( p < 0.05) and were smaller in both groups than in CTL ( p < 0.005), but the maximum plasma concentrations of progesterone were greater ( p < 0.05) in DEHP25 and DEHP50 than in CTL. In conclusion, the exposure of cycling ewes to DEHP causes shortening of the ovulatory cycles due mainly to a reduction in the size and lifespan of CL. However, the exposure to the phthalate is also associated with an increase in circulating concentrations of progesterone, suggesting the influence of DEHP on steroid metabolism. © 2013 Society for Biology of Reproduction & the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn

Pregnancy-associated changes in plasma concentration of the endocrine disruptor di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in a sheep model

The plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used for producing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acts as an endocrine disruptor with toxic effects on reproductive and developmental processes. Exposure to DEHP in humans is mainly by environment and food. Thus, our aim was to determine plasma levels in livestock animals using the ewe (Ovis aries) as a model. In a first trial, 150 samples from ewes of different ages (2 to 7 yr) and reproductive status (pregnant and nonpregnant) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). DEHP was detected in 34.7% of the samples, with a mean level of 0.45 ± 0.01 μg/mL (range, 0.05 to 2.81 μg/mL). The percentage of nonpregnant animals with DEHP traces was higher in animals older than 4 yr (n = 66, 37.9%) than in younger animals (n = 69, 17.4%; P < 0.05), although the mean levels in ewes with residues were similar (0.16 ± 0.01 vs. 0.16 ± 0.02 μg/mL). All the pregnant ewes (n = 15) showed presence of DEHP, with higher plasma levels than that in nonpregnant females (1.42 ± 0.18 vs. 0.16 ± 0.01 μg/mL; P < 0.0001). For confirming the effect of pregnancy on mobilization of DEHP from body fat, 101 ewes of the same age were sampled in a second trial at a different farm. The percentage of animals with DEHP traces was higher in pregnant ewes (n = 32, 71.9%; P < 0.005) than in nonpregnant ewes (n = 37, 35.1%) or in ewes that recently gave birth (n = 32, 21.9%), although mean levels were similar (0.42 ± 0.02, 0.33 ± 0.02, and 0.34 ± 0.05 μg/mL, respectively). In conclusion, current results indicate a high incidence of ewes reared in the field showing accumulation of phthalates; percentage of animals with presence of DEHP increases with age, due to an extended period of exposure, but mainly during pregnancy, due to the mobilization of body reserves. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved