Rachel Criswell1, Kathryn A Crawford2,3, Hana Bucinca4,5, Megan E Romano2. 1. Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency, Waterville, Maine. 2. Department of Epidemiology, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire. 3. Environmental Studies Program, Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont. 4. Research and Quality Improvement Program, Action for Mothers and Children, Prishtina. 5. Department of Pharmacy, Rezonanca College of Medical Sciences, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to describe epidemiologic and toxicological literature investigating how endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) affect mammary gland development and function, thereby impacting lactation duration. RECENT FINDINGS: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances appear to reduce breastfeeding duration through impaired mammary gland development, lactogenesis, and suppressed endocrine signaling. Halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons have differing associations with lactation duration, likely because of the variety of signaling pathways that they affect, pointing to the importance of complex mixtures in epidemiologic studies. Although epidemiologic literature suggests that pesticides and fungicides decrease or have no effect on lactation duration, toxicology literature suggests enhanced mammary gland development through estrogenic and/or antiandrogenic pathways. Toxicological studies suggest that phthalates may affect mammary gland development via estrogenic pathways but no association with lactation duration has been observed. Bisphenol A was associated with decreased duration of breastfeeding, likely through direct and indirect action on estrogenic pathways. SUMMARY: EDCs play a role in mammary gland development, function, and lactogenesis, which can affect breastfeeding duration. Further research should explore direct mechanisms of EDCs on lactation, the significance of toxicant mixtures, and transgenerational effects of EDCs on lactation.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to describe epidemiologic and toxicological literature investigating how endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) affect mammary gland development and function, thereby impacting lactation duration. RECENT FINDINGS: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances appear to reduce breastfeeding duration through impaired mammary gland development, lactogenesis, and suppressed endocrine signaling. Halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons have differing associations with lactation duration, likely because of the variety of signaling pathways that they affect, pointing to the importance of complex mixtures in epidemiologic studies. Although epidemiologic literature suggests that pesticides and fungicides decrease or have no effect on lactation duration, toxicology literature suggests enhanced mammary gland development through estrogenic and/or antiandrogenic pathways. Toxicological studies suggest that phthalates may affect mammary gland development via estrogenic pathways but no association with lactation duration has been observed. Bisphenol A was associated with decreased duration of breastfeeding, likely through direct and indirect action on estrogenic pathways. SUMMARY: EDCs play a role in mammary gland development, function, and lactogenesis, which can affect breastfeeding duration. Further research should explore direct mechanisms of EDCs on lactation, the significance of toxicant mixtures, and transgenerational effects of EDCs on lactation.
Authors: Megan E Romano; Yingying Xu; Antonia M Calafat; Kimberly Yolton; Aimin Chen; Glenys M Webster; Melissa N Eliot; Cynthia R Howard; Bruce P Lanphear; Joseph M Braun Journal: Environ Res Date: 2016-05-11 Impact factor: 6.498
Authors: Joe M Braun; Allan C Just; Paige L Williams; Kristen W Smith; Antonia M Calafat; Russ Hauser Journal: J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol Date: 2013-10-23 Impact factor: 5.563
Authors: Raquel Moral; Richard Wang; Irma H Russo; Daniel A Mailo; Coral A Lamartiniere; Jose Russo Journal: BMC Genomics Date: 2007-12-06 Impact factor: 3.969
Authors: Jennifer E Kay; Bethsaida Cardona; Ruthann A Rudel; Laura N Vandenberg; Ana M Soto; Sofie Christiansen; Linda S Birnbaum; Suzanne E Fenton Journal: Curr Environ Health Rep Date: 2022-08-19
Authors: Fadil M Hannan; Taha Elajnaf; Laura N Vandenberg; Stephen H Kennedy; Rajesh V Thakker Journal: Nat Rev Endocrinol Date: 2022-10-03 Impact factor: 47.564
Authors: Monica Lopes-Ferreira; Adolfo Luis Almeida Maleski; Leticia Balan-Lima; Jefferson Thiago Gonçalves Bernardo; Lucas Marques Hipolito; Ana Carolina Seni-Silva; Joao Batista-Filho; Maria Alice Pimentel Falcao; Carla Lima Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-09 Impact factor: 3.390