Work

Hair Mercury Levels, Serum n-3 Fatty Acids, and Pregnancy Glucose Outcomes Among Women From a Fertility Center

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mercury (Hg) exposure has been linked to gestational diabetes mellitus, but findings are inconclusive. Fish, the main source of nonoccupational Hg exposure, is also rich in long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), which may offer metabolic benefits. The joint impact of Hg and n-3 PUFAs on maternal glucose metabolism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between prepregnancy Hg exposure and glucose metabolism during pregnancy and evaluate whether serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) modify this relationship. DESIGN: We included 430 women from the Environment and Reproductive Health Study with prepregnancy hair Hg and mid- to late-pregnancy glucose levels. Of these, 182 had prepregnancy serum EPA and DHA. Generalized linear models were used to assess associations of log-transformed Hg with glucose and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Stratified analyses were performed by EPA + DHA levels and prepregnancy body mass inde (BMI). RESULTS: Higher Hg was associated with elevated glucose (per SD: β = 0.09, 95% confidence interval: 0.002-0.19) and 2.05-fold increased odds of IGT (Q4 vs Q1). Similar associations were observed among women with lower circulating EPA + DHA, and stronger associations were seen among those with prepregnancy BMI ≥25 kg/m2. CONCLUSION: Higher prepregnancy Hg exposure was associated with increased IGT odds, potentially modified by BMI and n-3 PUFA status.

Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaf594