The young sons of women who had high concentrations of two common phthalates when pregnant, don’t show the kind of play behavior we normally associate with boys.
A University of Rochester Medical Center study of 145 preschool children shows that where pregnant women have high concentrations of two common phthalates in their urine their young sons play in a less traditionally male way. Phthalates are chemicals used to soften plastics and are commonly found in the environment. People may be exposed to them in foods, soaps and lotions. Scientists believe that exposure to phthalates lowers testosterone levels. Testosterone is a male hormone and is very important for male brain development. Scientists already know that low testosterone levels affect male genital development and that exposure to phthalates may cause this. They are worried that prenatal exposure to phthalates, will also affect male brain development. They are concerned that this will result in changed male behavior.
In the Rochester study, Dr. Shana Swan, an expert in reproductive health and phthalates, made this hypothesis: If pregnant women have high phthalate levels when their fetus’s male genitals start functioning, their sons’ brain development will be altered and this will affect their play.
From 2000 to 2003 urine samples were taken from women at week 28 of their pregnancies. The samples were tested for two phthalates DEHP and DBP. When the children of these women were between 3 and 6 years old the women answered a questionnaire called the Preschool Activities Inventory. The questionnaire asked about what toys and activities the sons enjoyed. For example, trucks and play fighting rather than dolls and gentler activities. The scientists also asked the parents whether they would encourage or discourage the more feminine play.
The study found that there was a direct relationship between elevated phthalate levels and less “traditional” male play in their young sons. (There was no relationship between phthalate levels in the pregnant women and their daughters’ play behavior).
Questions to Consider:
-What are your reactions to this text?
-Do you think it is true that Phthalate exposure can lead to less-masculine play by boys?
-If so, would you try to prevent pregnant mothers and boys from being exposed to Phthalate?
-What would you do if you had a boy who preferred toys that girls usually play with (e.g. dolls),
or a girl who preferred toys that boys usually play with (e.g. trucks)? (encourage or discourage)
--Does the text agree or disagree with this statement: “phthalate exposure can lead to later sexual development in male organisms.”
---What information would you need to find out, or what experiments would you perform?
Acknowledgments:
Articles on this topic:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116085040.htm
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=2689
Information on Phthalates:
http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/480
Picture:
http://www.clker.com/clipart-9370.html
Arianne and Lily- Section 2
