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Background Previous studies on the exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and female fertility have provided conflicting results. We aimed to investigate the association between several PFAAs and time to pregnancy among nulliparous women. Methods From 2008 to 2013, we included 1372 women from the Aarhus Birth Cohort, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, who provided data on time to pregnancy and a blood sample before 20 gestational weeks. We measured the levels of 16 PFAAs in maternal serum and report data for seven compounds with quantifiable values in at least 50% of samples. Fecundability ratios according to PFAA levels (quartiles or continuous levels) were estimated by discrete-time survival analyses, adjusted for potential confounders. We further investigated the association between PFAAs and infertility (time to pregnancy>12 months or infertility treatment prior to the studied pregnancy) by multivariable logistic regression. Results Median levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate were 8.3 and 2.0 ng/mL. Overall, no obvious associations were found between any PFAAs and fecundability or infertility. Adjusted fecundability ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.09 (0.92–1.29) for perfluorooctane sulfonate and 1.10 (0.93–1.30) for perfluorooctanoate (highest versus lowest quartile). Conclusions We found no evidence of an association between present serum levels of PFAAs and longer time to pregnancy or infertility in nulliparous women. This study further adds to the sparse knowledge on PFAAs besides perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment and accumulate in humans. PFAS are suspected to affect the neuropsychological function of children, but only few studies have evaluated the association with childhood attention and executive function. To investigate the association between intrauterine exposure to PFAS and offspring attention and executive function. A total of 1593 children from the Danish National Birth Cohort, born 1996–2003, were included. The levels of 16 PFAS were measured in maternal plasma during pregnancy. At 5 years of age, the Test of Everyday Attention for Children at Five (TEACh-5) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) were performed. TEACh-5 scores were standardized to a mean of 0 and standard deviation (SD) of 1. BRIEF scores were standardized to a mean of 50 and a SD of 10. The associations between levels of seven PFAS and TEACh-5 and BRIEF were examined by multivariable linear regression adjusted for potential confounders. Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) was associated with poorer selective attention [standardized mean difference (95% confidence interval) −0.5 (−0.7, −0.3), highest versus lowest quartile]. Other PFAS were not clearly associated with selective attention, and we found no clear associations between PFAS exposure and sustained attention. For parent rated executive function, perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) was associated with poorer scores, standardized mean difference 3.8 (95% confidence interval 1.6, 6.0), highest versus lowest quartile. Regarding other PFAS, the associations were less clear. We found no clear associations between any PFAS and executive function rated by preschool teachers. Intrauterine exposure to PFOSA was associated with poorer selective attention, while PFOA was associated with poorer executive function. Given the widespread nature of PFAS exposure, these findings may have public health implications, warranting further investigation. • Plasma samples were obtained during pregnancy in 1593 Danish women. • Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were measured in the plasma. • Attention and executive function was evaluated in the offspring at age 5. • Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) was associated with poorer selective attention. • Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) was associated with poorer executive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]