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2755293 
Journal Article 
The influence of endocrine disrupting chemicals on postnatal growth and male reproductive health -- a prospective longitudinal birth cohort study 
Acerini, CL; Jones, ER; Martin, HM; Tucker, P; Forbes, K; Dark, L; Hughes, IA 
2003 
1 
Pediatric Research
ISSN: 0031-3998
EISSN: 1530-0447 
DART/TER/3001409 
53 
6 Pt 2 
English 
Secular trends in male reproductive health suggest increasing incidence rates in hypospadius (hyp) and cryptorchidism (cryp) in many developed countries. There are concerns that in utero/early postnatal exposure to environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC's) may have a role to play in explaining these changes. The Cambridge Baby Growth Study (est. 2001) is a prospective, longitudinal study designed to assess genetic and environmental influences on postnatal growth and reproductive health. The project aims to recruit a cohort of 2000 pregnancies. Maternal (antenatal/cordblood; placenta; breast milk) and child (blood) tissue samples will be analysed for suspected EDC's. Oestrogenic/androgenic activity will be assessed by sensitive in vitro assay utilising a telomerase-immortalised human cell capable of detecting putative EDC activity. Children are reviewed (exam(n); ht, wt) at birth, and +3, 12, 18 and amp; 24 months. Ethics approval (Cambridge LREC) and amp; full informed consent obtained. Pregnancies recruited (Jan 2003) = 554. Incidence data on infant genital anomalies are shown (to date = 271 births (m = 147; f = 124)). Females: birth = no anomalies. Males: birth-cryp (n) = 5 (bilateral = 4, unilateral = 1); hyp = 0; others = 0. Cases of cryp at birth spontaneously resolved at +3 months, with no new cases detected at 3 and amp; 12 months of age. Our preliminary data suggest that the incidence of male reproductive tract anomalies in our population may be low. Collection of further cases and comparison with similar cohorts from other regions may help determine whether geographical variations in male reproductive health are related to background exposure to environmental EDC's.