Pentachlorophenol exposure in women with gynecological and endocrine dysfunction

Exposure to wood preservatives containing pentachlorophenol (PCP) was detec ted in 65 women who consulted the Endocrinological Department of the Univer sity Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heidelberg, Germany, because of gynecological problems. Blood PCP levels ranged from 20.7 to 133 mu g per liter of serum. One hundred and six women with similar clinical conditions, corresponding age and body weight, no PCP exposure in history, and PCP lev els below 20 mu g per liter of serum served as control group. Significant a ssociations were found between serum PCP concentrations, age, and different parameters of the endocrine system. PCP may act centrally on a hypothalami c or suprahypothalamic level which may result in mild ovarian and adrenal i nsufficiency. PCP may, therefore, play a role in the increasing infertility problem. (C) 1999 Academic Press.