Environmental PCB exposure and risk of endometriosis

Germaine M. Buck Louis, G M Buck Louis, John M. Weiner, J M Weiner, B W Whitcomb, Brian W. Whitcomb, R Sperrazza, E F Schisterman, Enrique F. Schisterman, Danelle T. Lobdell, D T Lobdell, K Crickard, Kent Crickard, Hebe B. Greizerstein, H Greizerstein, Paul J. Kostyniak, P J Kostyniak
Human Reproduction · 2004 · vol. 20(1) , pp. 279–285 · doi:10.1093/humrep/deh575 · PMID:15513976 · W2115838722
article OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 73 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-13 ⓘ

This study analyzed serum PCB congener levels in 84 women and found an elevated risk of endometriosis associated with higher exposure to anti-estrogenic PCBs.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hormonally active environmental agents have recently been associated with the development of endometriosis. METHODS: We undertook a study to assess the relationship between endometriosis, an estrogen-dependent gynaecological disease, and 62 individual polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) congeners. We enrolled 84 eligible women aged 18-40 years undergoing laparoscopy for study, which included an interview and blood specimen (n=79; 94%). Thirty-two women had visually confirmed endometriosis at laparoscopy while 52 did not. Blood specimens were run in batches of 14 including four quality control samples for toxicological analysis. Each PCB congener was adjusted for recovery; batch-specific reagent blanks were subtracted. All PCB concentrations were log transformed and expressed in ng/g serum first as a sum and then as tertiles by purported estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity of PCB congeners. RESULTS: Using unconditional logistic regression analysis, a significantly elevated odds ratio (OR) was observed for women in the third tertile of anti-estrogenic PCBs [OR 3.77; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-12.68]. Risk remained elevated after controlling for gravidity, current cigarette smoking and serum lipids (OR 3.30; 95% CI 0.87-12.46). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that anti-estrogenic PCBs may be associated with the development of endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Environmental Pollutants Environmental Pollutants Estrogen Receptor Modulators Estrogen Receptor Modulators Polychlorinated Biphenyls Polychlorinated Biphenyls Adolescent Adult Cohort Studies Endometriosis Environmental Pollutants Estrogen Receptor Modulators Estrogen Receptor Modulators Female Humans Odds Ratio Polychlorinated Biphenyls Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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