engleski

Role of human placenta in assessment of exposure to toxic metals and steroid disruption as indicators of risk for foetal distress

The problem of exposure to toxic metals and their biological effects have been a source of growing concern in recent years. Women of childbearing age and growing infants are population groups at risk for toxic effects of metals as they are prone to essential element (iron, calcium) deficiencies due to their specific physiological demands. Toxic metals can compromise foetal health directly in utero, by passing placental barrier, and/or indirectly, by tissue accumulation, compromising transplacental nutrient passage and certain immune processes. With the implementation of current public health regulations, pregnant women can no longer be occupationally exposed to toxic metals, but risk from other sources (food, water, paint, industrial wastes, automobile exhaust fumes, pesticides, tobacco smoke) are yet to be evaluated. We assessed exposure to toxic metals on placental steroid disruption and foetal viability in healthy parturients (average age 28 years) delivered at term in maternity hospitals in the Croatian capital Zagreb. Assessment of environmental and occupational exposures, diet, active and passive smoking, reproductive outcome (by questionnaire), and general health of the mother and newborn (by medical records) were considered. Metals in placental tissue were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry, and placental steroid concentrations were assayed by specific radioimmunoassay. In smoking vs. non-smoking women significant increases in placental cadmium and lead concentrations, a decrease in placental progesterone concentration, and lower birth weights were found. Biomonitoring of metals and steroid disruption evaluation in human placentas make it possible to assess relative risk of toxic metals for foetal distress.

birth weight; cadmium; cigarette smoke; lead; placenta; progesterone

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