A case-control study of arsenic exposure with the risk of primary ovarian insufficiency in women

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2020-07, Vol.27 (20), p.25220-25229
• Main Authors: Pan, Wuye, Ye, Xiaoqing, Zhu, Zheying, Li, Chunming, Zhou, Jianhong, Liu, Jing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 17β-Estradiol; Aquatic Pollution; Arsenic; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Case studies; Correlation analysis; Creatinine; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Exposure; Follicle-stimulating hormone; Health risk assessment; Hormones; Luteinizing hormone; Ovaries; Reproductive health; Reproductive status; Research Article; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Serum levels; Sex hormones; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08806-0

Arsenic, a well-known toxic metalloid, is ubiquitously existed in environment. Arsenic exposure has been associated with female reproductive health. However, a potential association between arsenic exposure and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) in women has not been recognized yet. In this case-control study, a total of 169 POI cases and 209 healthy controls were recruited to determine urinary concentrations of arsenic and serum levels of reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol). The median concentration of urinary arsenic in cases (21.5 μg/L, 28.0 μg/g for creatinine adjustment) was significantly higher than that of controls (13.8 μg/L, 19.3 μg/g for creatinine adjustment). Urinary arsenic concentrations were significantly positively associated with the risk of POI (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.43–4.95 for the highest vs lowest tertile of arsenic, p  = 0.002; p for trend = 0.004). We also assessed the associations between arsenic exposure and reproductive hormones that are important for ovarian functions. FSH and LH levels were positively associated with urinary arsenic, whereas AMH and estradiol levels were negatively correlated with this element. This study provided evidence that arsenic exposure could be the potential risk factor for POI in women.