Cadmium accumulation in follicular fluid of women in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer is higher in smokers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess cadmium, a heavy metal in cigarette tobacco, in follicular fluid (FF) of women in IVF-ET, who smoke.


METHODS
Controlled clinical study.


METHODS
Infertile patients in a hospital IVF-ET program.


METHODS
Fifty-one women selected in groups according to smoking habits: nonsmokers (n = 10), passive smokers (n = 17), light smokers (< 15 cigarettes per day, n = 19), and heavy smokers (> or = 15 cigarettes per day, n = 5).


METHODS
Ovarian hyperstimulation with GnRH agonist.


RESULTS
The mean +/- SEM level of FF cadmium was higher in smokers (7.93 +/- 0.16 ng/mL) than in nonsmokers (6.73 +/- 0.31 ng/mL), and with a dose-effect of smoking. The individual levels in passive, light, and heavy smoking women also were higher than in nonsmoking women.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite lack of vascularization of the follicle, cadmium accumulation was detectable in FF. Cadmium also could accumulate in oocytes of smokers; it does so, in a dose-dependent manner, in oocytes of cadmium-treated rats. Access to cadmium and other contaminants of cigarette smoke in FF may compromise the quality of oocytes, becoming a risk factor.
Zenzes
M T
MT
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Krishnan
S
S
Krishnan
B
B
Zhang
H
H
Casper
R F
RF
D000328:Adult; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000378:metabolism*
D002104:Cadmium; D016729:Leuprolide