Occupational exposure to endocrine disruptors and time to pregnancy among couples in a large birth cohort study: The Generation R Study

Objective: To study the influence of occupational exposure to endocrine disruptors (EDs) on time to pregnancy (TTP). Design: Cross-sectional analysis within a prospective, population-based cohort study. Setting: Medical center. Patient(s): Mothers and fathers who filled out a questionnaire during mid-pregnancy (response 77% and 82% of enrollment, respectively) were selected if the pregnancy was planned and either parent performed paid employment. In total, 2,774 mothers and 2,728 partners were included in the statistical analyses. Interventions(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Self-reported TTP (months). Result(s): There was no correlation between maternal and paternal exposure, because κ values for agreement for all exposure categories ranged from 0.03 to 0.13. Paternal occupational exposure to heavy metals (hazard ratio of pregnancy 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.71-0.97) and overall exposure to EDs (hazard ratio 0.85; 95% confidence interval 0.75-0.96) was statistically significantly associated with an increased TTP. Maternal occupational exposure to all categories of EDs showed prolonged TTP, but the decreased hazard ratios were not statistically significant. Conclusion(s): This birth cohort study provides indications for adverse effects of parental occupational exposure to EDs on TTP.

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