Reducing Postnatal Complications from Maternal Toxic Exposures

Leryn Reynolds, a postdoctoral fellow in Kevin Pearson’s lab in the UK Superfund Research Center, is studying how PCB exposure during pregnancy and nursing impacts the offspring’s risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes.

“We’ve found offspring who are born to mothers exposed to polychlorinated biphenols during pregnancy and during nursing, they tend to have impaired glucose tolerance, which is a marker of diabetes, as well as reduced skeletal muscle mass,” Reynolds explains. “Pregnancy is a short but very critical time frame, where environmental exposures can cause long-lasting effects on offspring. Our data supports and suggests, pregnant and nursing women should really try to limit PCB exposure.”

Reynolds says the team is looking to see if timing of exposure causes the most detrimental effects on offspring. “And then, we’re also really interested in trying to use positive interventions like increasing physical activity or exercise during pregnancy. We want to see if that can lower the risk of babies developing obesity and type 2 diabetes.”

See all of the research under way at the UK Superfund Research Center by visiting their site: http://www.uky.edu/superfund