Effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,-bis (4-chlorophenyl)-ethane (DDT) in follicular fluid on the results of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) programs.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the effect of chlorinated organic compounds on fertility.


METHODS
We analyzed the influence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides in follicular fluid on the number of fertilized oocytes, the quality of oocytes and embryos, pregnancy rate, and number of embryos cryoconserved in IVF-ET program.


METHODS
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.


METHODS
Patients from the Center of Assisted Reproduction.


METHODS
We collected the follicular fluid of 99 infertile women.


METHODS
The levels of xenobiotics in follicular fluid were examined by high-resolution mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. Correlations between the levels of xenobiotics and IVF-ET program results were statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
The PCB levels varied from 0.1 to 254.6 ng/g of fat. Levels of DDT and its metabolites varied from 0.3 to 35 228.8 ng/g of fat. A correlation was found between the number of diploid oocytes and the level of DDT, the fertilization of oocytes and level of PCB 158, and the pregnancy rate and the number of embryos cryoconserved and levels of PCB 47.


CONCLUSIONS
Xenobiotics can be detected in the fat compartment of the follicular fluid. Some correlation to the IVF-ET program results was established, to a degree that might be considered of concern, although it was not statistically significant at the 5% level.
Jirsová
Simona
S
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. simona.jirsova@email.cz
Masata
Jaromír
J
Jech
Libor
L
Zvárová
Jana
J
D000328:Adult; D003634:DDT / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010575:Pesticides / Q000494:pharmacology; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000494:pharmacology
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010575:Pesticides; D015262:Xenobiotics; D003634:DDT; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls