Fig. 4: Assessment of the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on circulating steroid hormone levels.

Blood plasma was assessed for a panel of steroidal hormones by an independent National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory. The relative abundance of 14 of these hormones is shown. A Progesterone, B Dihydroprogesterone, C Allopregnanolone, D 17-Hydroxyprogesterone, E Androstenedione, F Androsterone, G Testosterone, H Dihydrotestosterone, I 3α-Androstanediol, J 3β-Androstanediol, K Estrone, L 17β-estradiol, and M Dehydroepiandrosterone. In addition to the panel of reproductive hormones, the levels of the major stress hormone, corticosterone (N) and total cholesterol levels (O, P) were also assessed in each exposure group. All graphical data are presented as mean ± SEM, calculated on the basis of n = 2–6 biological replicates per exposure group. Pink lines indicate the limit of detection for each hormone. Hormones present above the limit of detection in more than 2 samples for each exposure group were subjected to one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test (if normally distributed) or Kruskal–Wallis test (if not normally distributed). *p < 0.05.