Effects of Ultrafine Particulate Matter on Offspring Growth and Development
Abstract
One of the most prevalent environmental health issues affecting the globe in the 21st
century is that of air pollution and its resulting health effects. A major component of ambient air
pollution is termed particulate matter (PM), which accounts for a considerable burden of adverse
health outcomes including disease and death across the globe. Maternal exposure to PM during
pregnancy has been recently understood to induce significant harm on the health and
development of children. However, the smallest fraction of PM, known as ultrafine particulates
(UFPs), have yet to be regulated as larger fractions have been and are still being studied and
characterized. Additionally, the body of evidence for adverse effects of prenatal UFP exposure in
regard to metabolic and developmental outcomes is still growing. In this research, I will discuss
recent findings from our mouse model for prenatal ultrafine particle (UFP) exposure and impacts
on metabolism and development. Our findings demonstrate in utero UFP exposure does impact
growth and development in a sex and dose specific manner. Sustained trends of inhibited weight
gain, differences in organ weights, and differences in fat content combined with measurements
of oxidative stress and altered bone development implicate the development of adverse health
conditions later in life following prenatal UFP exposure. Overall, this research highlights the
growing need to develop effective environmental and public health policies to regulate and
reduce exposure to ambient PM and UFPs.
Citation
Pendleton, Drew Dabney (2021). Effects of Ultrafine Particulate Matter on Offspring Growth and Development. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /196403.