A recent study conducted by researchers at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health has shed light on the negative impacts of outdoor air pollution on human embryo development during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. The study, published in the journal Environment International, presented a new approach to understanding the relationship between air pollution and embryo quality by examining the independent effects of maternal and paternal air pollution exposure during the production of eggs and sperm.
The research team, in collaboration with experts from Emory School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, analyzed samples from 500 oocyte donors and 915 male partners undergoing IVF treatments between 2008 and 2019 at a fertility center in Atlanta. They found that exposure to organic carbon, a component of hazardous fine particulate matter PM2.5 emitted from sources like vehicle exhaust and industrial processes, had detrimental effects on oocyte survival, fertilization, and embryo quality.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Audrey Gaskins, emphasized the importance of their unique model that allowed them to evaluate the independent impacts of maternal and paternal air pollution exposure on early embryological outcomes. The results indicated that both partners’ exposure to air pollution during gametogenesis had negative effects on embryo quality.
Dr. Sarah LaPointe, the first author of the study, highlighted the significance of addressing air pollution as a concern for individuals seeking to conceive. She stressed the need to mitigate exposure to air pollution for these populations and others at risk.
For more information on the study, readers can refer to the publication in Environment International, titled “Air pollution exposure in vitrified oocyte donors and male recipient partners in relation to fertilization and embryo quality.” The DOI for the study is 10.1016/j.envint.2024.109147.
This research underscores the importance of understanding the impact of air pollution on reproductive health and fertility outcomes. It serves as a call to action for policymakers and healthcare providers to prioritize measures to reduce air pollution and protect the reproductive health of individuals.
