Organochlorine pesticides in specimens from women undergoing spontaneous abortion, premature or full-term delivery

Abstract

Organochlorine insecticides (BHC, eldrin, p, p-DDE, p, p-DDD, p, p-DDT) were measured in the blood, placenta and fetus** of women experiencing spontaneous abortions, preterm labor or full-term labor using an electron-capture gas chromatographic method. The following trend was found for Insecticide concentrations in each of the specimens tested: Spontaneous abortions preterm full-term. One conclusion of this work is that the organochlorine insecticides act as antagonists to pregnancy. A plausible explanation for the facilitatory role of organochlorine insecticides in the initiation of preterm labor/abortion is hypothesized. © 1981 Journal of Analytical Toxicology. All rights reserved.