Per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants and
human exposure is ubiquitous and associated with many adverse health outcomes. In recognition of these health risks legacy PFAS compounds such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been replaced with “safer” alternatives such as perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) although their toxicity is largely unknown. Recent studies suggest that maternal PFAS exposure leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes including maternal hypertensive disorders thyroid hormone disruption and low birth weight though the epidemiologic literature varies and biological mechanisms remain undetermined. Of concern maternal PFBS exposure was recently associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia a life-threatening pregnancy complication resulting from dysregulated placentation. Using our established rabbit model dams were exposed to PFBS-contaminated drinking water throughout pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes were evaluated including placentation. Differential gene expression was evaluated in rabbit placentas by RNAseqencing.
human exposure is ubiquitous and associated with many adverse health outcomes. In recognition of these health risks legacy PFAS compounds such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been replaced with “safer” alternatives such as perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) although their toxicity is largely unknown. Recent studies suggest that maternal PFAS exposure leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes including maternal hypertensive disorders thyroid hormone disruption and low birth weight though the epidemiologic literature varies and biological mechanisms remain undetermined. Of concern maternal PFBS exposure was recently associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia a life-threatening pregnancy complication resulting from dysregulated placentation. Using our established rabbit model dams were exposed to PFBS-contaminated drinking water throughout pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes were evaluated including placentation. Differential gene expression was evaluated in rabbit placentas by RNAseqencing.