In short
This project will enlarge knowledge about the exposure of unborn children to endocrine disruptors (chemicals that interfere with endocrine (or hormone) systems). Selected compounds are analysed in placenta tissue by chromatography and mass spectrometry. These analytical techniques enable to separate and quantify the chemicals according to their structure and molecular mass. The placenta samples originate from an on-going birth cohort study in Belgium. A birth cohort study involves repeated surveys of a large number of individuals from birth and throughout their lives. Consequently, it will be possible to follow–up the development of the children and link possible health effects to exposure during early life.
Project description
The placenta is in contact with all nutritional, hormonal and other chemical stress factors throughout the pregnancy. Environmental and food contaminants are detrimental for fetal development and can be either directly toxic to the cells or via endocrine disruption properties and/or oxidative stress resulting in adverse cellular responses. It remains to be determined how these chemicals affect the molecular biology profiles in the placenta at various stages.
The objectives of this project are:
- To further develop techniques to measure EDC exposures in placental tissue
- To further explore the in utero and early life exposures to EDC and their effects on growth and early (neurological) development of young children
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