Fig. 3
From: Endocrine disrupting chemicals: gestational diabetes and beyond
Exposure to EDCs like BPA, phthalates, PFAS, dioxins, heavy metals, and parabens among pregnant women disrupts various signaling pathways and leads to increased incidence of gestational weight gain and insulin resistance. Pi3K-Akt expression pathway is the most common pathway which is seen to be disrupted by the EDCs, leading to GDM. [EDC = Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical; BPA = Bisphenol A; PFAS = Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances; PPAR = Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor; ER = Estrogen receptor; GWG = Gestational weight gain; IR = Insulin resistance]