Prenatal exposure to antifungal medication may change anogenital distance in male offspring: a preliminary study

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Djamilla Madelung Mogensen
  • Maria Bergkvist Pihl
  • Skakkebæk, Niels Erik
  • Helle Raun Andersen
  • Juul, Anders
  • Henriette Boye Kyhl
  • Shanna Swan
  • David Møbjerg Kristensen
  • Marianne Skovager Andersen
  • Dorte Vesterholm Lind
  • Tina Kold Jensen

Background: Vaginal candidiasis is frequent among pregnant women and it is treated with anti-fungal medication (conazoles). Conazoles have anti-androgenic properties and prenatal exposure in rodents is associated with a shorter (less masculine) anogenital distance (AGD) in male offspring. To our knowledge this has never been studied in humans. Method: In the Odense Child Cohort pregnant women residing in Odense municipality, Denmark, were recruited at gestational age 8-16 weeks between 2010 and 2012. Of the eligible 2421 mother-child pairs, 812 mother-son pairs were included. Questionnaire data on medicine use were collected in first and third trimester and physical examination at age 3 month was performed. Ano-scrotal distance; measured from the centre of anus to the posterior base of scrotum (AGDas). Ano-cephalad distance; measured from the centre of anus to the cephalad insertion of the penis (AGDap) and penile width; measured at the base of the penis. Results: Eighty seven women had used antifungal medicine during pregnancy. Maternal use of oral fluconazole (n = 4) was associated with a 6.4 mm shorter AGDas (95% CI: -11.9;-0.9) in the male offspring. Use of antifungal vaginal tablets (n = 21), was associated with a non-significantly shorter AGDas (-1.9 mm; 95% CI: -4.3; 0.5) whereas exposure to vaginal cream (n = 23) was not associated to AGDas. Use of antifungal medicine in the window of genital development between 8 and 14 weeks of gestation was associated with a larger reduction in AGDas than exposure outside this window. Antifungal medicine intake was not associated with AGDap and penil width. Conclusion: Our preliminary findings prompted us to hypothesize that maternal use of conazole antifungal medication during pregnancy may affect the masculinization of male offspring. If confirmed, pregnant women should be advised to use antifungal medicine with caution.

Original languageEnglish
Article number68
JournalEnvironmental Health
Volume16
Number of pages8
ISSN1476-069X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

    Research areas

  • Anogenital distance, Antifungal medicine, Endocrine disruptors, Prenatal exposure

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