Organochlorine Pesticides in Specimens from Women Undergoing Spontaneous Abortion, Premature or Full-Term Delivery

Organochlorine insecticides (BHC, eldrin, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDT) were measured in the blood, placenta and fetus** of women experiencing spontaneous abortions, preterm labor or full-term labor using an electron-capture gas chromatographic method. The following trend was found for Insecticide concentrations in each of the specimens tested: spontaneous abortions > preterm > full-term. One conclusion of this work is that the organochlorine insecticides act as antagonists to pregnancy. A plausible explanation for the facilitatory role of organochlorine insecticides in the initiation of preterm labor/abortion is hypothesized.