Impact of prenatal organophosphate esters exposure on offspring neurodevelopmental impairment and potential mediating role of placental neurotransmitter

In recent years, organophosphate esters (OPEs), widely used in industrial and consumer products, have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants, raising concerns about their potential effects on human health, particularly fetal neurodevelopment. While published studies have suggested that prenatal exposure to OPEs may negatively impact fetal neurodevelopment, the mechanisms remain unclear. Placental neurotransmitters play a crucial role in fetal neurodevelopment during critical periods, with their synthesis, release, transport, and expression dynamically regulated by various factors, including environmental influences. This review, based on potential mediating role of placental neurotransmitters in fetal neurodevelopment, systematically reviewed studies examining the associations between prenatal OPEs exposure, alterations in maternal placental neurotransmitters, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities in offspring. The majority of studies suggested that OPEs may impact fetal neurodevelopment by interfering with placental neurotransmitter homeostasis. This review provided the first systematic overview of research demonstrating the long-term impact of OPEs on offspring neurodevelopment via placental neurotransmitters, revealing novel mechanisms of OPEs neurotoxicity, and offering a new understanding of the potential mechanisms of OPEs action on neurodevelopment.