title: Association between intrafollicular concentration of benzene and outcome of controlled ovarian stimulation in IVF/ICSI cycles: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have shown that exposure to benzene is associated to menstrual disorders, miscarriages and other disorders of the reproductive system. We performed an observational prospective pilot study to evaluate if levels of benzene in follicular fluid were correlated with response to controlled ovarian stimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four normogonadotrophic women undergoing IVF were enrolled. Intra-follicular benzene levels were evaluated by chromatography/mass spectrometry. Based on median benzene level, we divided the study population in two groups: Group A with a "low" intra-follicular benzene concentration (n=19, benzene <0.54 ng/mL) and Group B with a "high" intra-follicular benzene concentration (n=15, benzene ≥ 0.54 ng/mL). The ovarian response to gonadotrophins and the outcome of IVF were analyzed in the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups did not differ in terms of demographic or anthropometric characteristics. Group B had significantly higher basal FSH levels, lower estradiol peak concentration, and fewer oocytes retrieved and embryos transferred (p<0.05). Number of gonadotrophin vials, length of controlled ovarian stimulation and ongoing pregnancy rate were similar in the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, ovarian response to endogenous and exogenous gonadotrophins appeared to be influenced by intra-follicular benzene levels.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alviggi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Medicina Pubblica e della Sicurezza Sociale, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guadagni
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conforti
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Picarelli
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vallone
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Strina
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pagano
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mollo
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Medicina Pubblica e della Sicurezza Sociale, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Acampora
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Placido
mesh_terms: D001554:Benzene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D002845:Chromatography; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
chemical_list: D001554:Benzene
keywords: Benzene; FSH; IVF; Infertility; Pollution; Poor responders