Abstract
Due to the recognized harmful effects of some trace elements on fetal development after long-term exposures, it is first important to address their basic/physiological levels before monitoring toxicological effects and clinical outcomes on prenatal and postnatal health. This research aimed to define, for the first time, reference values for multiple (ultra) trace elements in umbilical cord blood (UCB) plasma samples of a notable number of healthy pregnant women (n = 125). All samples were collected during 2020–2021 and all participants were from Belgrade and two regions (Šumadija and Podunavlje). Following trace elements were enrolled in this study: essential (Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo), toxic (Be, Al, Ni, As, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, Th, U), rare earth (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm), and noble metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Re, Ir, Os, Pt). UCB plasma samples were diluted with suitable solvents and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The analytical technique used was validated by the standard addition method and using certified reference materials. Zn was found in the highest amount and Tm in the least amount. Be, Co, Ag, Sb, La, and Ce exhibited statistically significant differences in the four age groups (20 to 41 years), whereas Ag and Ce showed a tendency to increase with age. Furthermore, our participants had notably higher As, Ni, and Co, levels and lower Zn levels compared to other populations. This is the first study that, in addition to analyzing essential and toxic trace elements, also provided an analysis of noble and rare earth elements in UCB plasma samples. Presented results can be used as a starting point or database for further studies, in terms of predicting the pregnancy outcome and postnatal development.
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Data and Material are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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This research was financially supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, Contract Number: 451-03-68/2020-14/200288.
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AS designed the research, conducted the experimental study, analyzed the data, and wrote the first and last versions of the paper; MR collected clinical specimens; MR, JJ, ŽM, AJ, MP, and DM participated in writing through reviewing and editing. All authors contributed critically to the draft and gave final approval for publication.
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This investigation was approved by the Institutional Ethical Review Board (No: 05006-2021-1525) from Belgrade, Serbia.
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Stojsavljević, A., Rovčanin, M., Jagodić, J. et al. Evaluation of Maternal Exposure to Multiple Trace Elements and Their Detection in Umbilical Cord Blood. Expo Health 14, 623–633 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-021-00441-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-021-00441-5