Bisphenol A and phthalate levels in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Endocrine disruptors have been proposed in the etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as they have the potency to interfere with hormone-sensitivity systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of bisphenol A (BPA) and phtalates in adolescents with PCOS. Sixty-two girls with PCOS and 33 controls, age 12-18 years were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of PCOS was made using modified Rotterdam criteria. Urinary BPA levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP), the most commonly used phthalate and mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP), its main metabolite were measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography. Adolescents with PCOS had markedly increased BPA levels (15.89 mu g/g creatine +/- 1.16) when compared with the control group (7.30 mu g/g creatine +/- 1.38) (p = .016). In adolescents with PCOS, BPA was significantly correlated with polycystic morphology on ultrasound but not with obesity androgen levels, or other metabolic parameters. Patients with PCOS (DEHP: 0.40 ppm +/- 0.24, MEHP: 0.13 ppm +/- 0.23) and controls (DEHP: 0.49 ppm +/- 0.27, MEHP: 0.14 ppm +/- 0.3) had similar serum phtalate concentrations (p = .7 and p = .3, respectively). Exposure to specific endocrine disruptors such as BPA could modify neuroendocrine, reproductive, and metabolic regulation favoring PCOS development in adolescents.