Assessment of genotoxicity and oxidative stress in pregnant women contaminated to organochlorine pesticides and its correlation with pregnancy outcome

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 204; no. Pt B; p. 112010
• Main Authors: Dwivedi, Naina, Mahdi, Abbas Ali, Deo, Sujata, Ahmad, Mohammad Kaleem, Kumar, Durgesh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.03.2022
• Subjects: aldrin; Birth weight; blood serum; catalase; chlorinated hydrocarbons; comet assay; dieldrin; DNA Damage; Female; Fetal Blood - metabolism; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; Genotoxicity; gestational age; glutathione-disulfide reductase; Humans; India; Infant, Newborn; malondialdehyde; mutagens; Organochlorine pesticides; Oxidative Stress; peroxidase; Pesticides - metabolism; Pesticides - toxicity; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnant Women; Preterm birth; quantitative analysis; tail; Transplacental transfer; xenobiotics; India; Oxidative stress; Birth weight; Preterm birth; Transplacental transfer; Organochlorine pesticides; Genotoxicity
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112010

The present study was aimed to assess the correlation between transplacental transfer of xenobiotics and resulting biochemical alterations (including genotoxicity and oxidative stress) in non-occupational pregnant women of North India along with the effect on pregnancy outcomes. Maternal and cord blood samples were collected from 221 healthy mother-infant couples and divided according to their gestational age and birth weight. Genotoxic effects in mother and cord blood were examined using comet assay. The quantitative determination of Organo-chlorine pesticides in blood serum of study population was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Notably higher Organo-chlorine pesticides levels were observed in maternal blood of preterm than term subjects for almost all of the compounds detected, with the maximum concentration found for aldrin (3.26 mg/l) in maternal blood and dieldrin (2.69 mg/l) in cord blood. The results showed a significant increment in olive tail moment, tail full length, catalase, super-oxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde levels whereas lower glutathione reductase and peroxidase were found in preterm babies when compared with term group and it varied in the order: maternal blood > cord blood. A clear trend was observed for preterm babies with their lower birth weight and cesarean mode of delivery. Therefore, reduction in birth weight in newborns may be the consequence of increased oxidative damage and genotoxicity brought about by pesticides and these markers could be employed for early detection of pesticides related ailments and toxicities. To the best of our knowledge, this was a pioneering study and it may help to increase our knowledge with regard to xenobiotic exposure in biological system and the need for stringent guidelines for agricultural use of pesticides. [Display omitted] •In-utero exposure to OCPs was associated with genotoxicity and with birth outcomes.•Serum concentration of OCPs were significantly correlated with DNA damage.•Aldrin, dieldrin and HCH isomers were main OCPs detected in North Indian population.•p,p’DDE, o,p’DDE and dieldrin showed significant negative association with birth weight.•Higher maternal and gestational age influenced level of genotoxicity and preterm birth.