Exposure of human endometrium to environmental estrogens, antiandrogens, and organochlorine compounds

Objective: To determine concentrations of environmental estrogens, antiandr ogens, and organochlorine compounds in human endometrium and body fat. Design: Cross-sectional. population-based study. Setting: Patient recruitment was done at a un specialized private laborator y. Patient(s): Premenopausal, unexposed women undergoing hysterectomy for uter ine myoma. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Concentrations of environmental modulators in huma n endometrium and body fat were quantified by high-resolution gas chromatog raphy/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Result(s): Among known endocrine modulators, the antiandrogenic p,p'-dichlo roiphenyl-dichloroethylene was found in the highest concentrations in endom etrium (median 4.7 mu g/kg wet weight) and body fat (median 446 mu g/kg wet weight). Only trace amounts of the identified environmental estrogens beta -hexachlorocyclohexane. o,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane, bisphenol A, hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls, and genistein were found in the en dometrium (median < 1 mu g/kg wet weight). As major organochlorine contamin ants without endocrine activities, polychlorinated biphenyls and hexachloro benzene were found. Conclusion(s): Our data demonstrate that nonchlorinated environmental estro gens do not build up cumulative tissue concentrations in the endometrium. T he risk of reduced fertility because of ambient levels of environmental est rogens in the endometrium is negligible. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000;74:558-63. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).