Contamination of human ovarian follicular fluid and serum by chlorinated organic compounds in three Canadian cities.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent of contamination of ovarian follicular fluid and serum samples in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization and to study the effect of the contaminants on reproductive outcome.


METHODS
Inception cohort study.


METHODS
Seventy-four women undergoing in-vitro fertilization at three regional clinics in Halifax, Hamilton, Ont., and Vancouver.


METHODS
Follicular fluid and serum levels of contaminants, cleavage rates and time to cleavage of first egg.


RESULTS
Five chlorinated organic chemicals were frequently found in the two types of samples: alpha-chlordane (ALCH), dichlorochlorophenylethylene (DDE), heptachloroepoxide-oxychlordane (OXCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). The levels were generally low. Regional differences between the three clinics were present. Samples from the Halifax clinic had the lowest frequency and level of contamination. The source of drinking water (well, bottled or municipal) was an important confounder. The concentrations of the five contaminants did not affect the cleavage rate or the time to cleavage of the first egg.


CONCLUSIONS
Trace amounts of toxic and persistent chlorinated organic chemicals found in the follicular fluid of Canadian women undergoing in-vitro fertilization did not seem to have any adverse biologic effect on the rate of fertilization and the time to cleavage. Reasons for regional differences in the concentrations of contaminants require further study.
Jarrell
J F
JF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Calgary, Alta.
Villeneuve
D
D
Franklin
C
C
Bartlett
S
S
Wrixon
W
W
Kohut
J
J
Zouves
C G
CG
D001955:British Columbia; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000187:drug effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000187:drug effects; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D009674:Nova Scotia; D009864:Ontario
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated