# Prenatal Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure and Targeted Maternal Pregnancy Metabolomic Profiles in the NYU CHES Cohort

## TL;DR

This study explores how prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides affects maternal metabolites during pregnancy, finding significant changes in acylcarnitine profiles.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific metabolic signatures linked to prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure in a large cohort.

## Key findings

- Prenatal OP pesticide exposure is significantly associated with maternal urinary metabolomic profiles.
- Acylcarnitine profiles show the most consistent changes across all models and time points.
- Late pregnancy shows the highest number of associations between OP exposure and metabolites.

## Abstract

Prior research links
prenatal exposure to organophosphate (OP)
pesticides to adverse health outcomes via molecular mechanisms, such
as oxidative stress, neurotransmitter disruption, and mitochondrial
dysfunction. This study investigates such mechanisms by assessing
the relationships between prenatal OP pesticide exposure and targeted
urinary maternal metabolomic profiles using data from the New York
University Children’s Health and Environment Study (NYU CHES)
cohort (n = 890). Urine samples were collected at
three time points during pregnancy (T
1, T
2, T
3)
and analyzed for six dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites and a targeted
set of 188 metabolites related to key biological functions. Associations
between DAP concentrations and individual metabolites were estimated
using linear and logistic regression models, with adjustment for potential
confounders. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations
between OP exposure and the studied maternal metabolomic profile,
with the most associations observed during late pregnancy (T
3). The most robust associations across all
models and time points were observed for acylcarnitine profiles, which
were consistently altered in association with OP exposure. This study
identifies specific metabolic signatures associated with OP pesticide
exposure during pregnancy, providing insights into potential mechanisms
of toxicity and implications for maternal and child health. Additional
research is needed to validate these findings and further understand
the functional significance of the identified metabolic disturbances.