Endocrine disrupting chemicals in follicular fluid related to impaired embryo quality

We are constantly exposed to a complex mixture of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and other chemicals with unknown effects on the reproductive system.

EDCs have been suspected to impair fertility but it is impossible to test all substances individually and effects are likely to be additive or even synergistic.

The oocyte is surrounded by follicular fluid that influences the potential of the oocyte to mature, become fertilized and develop into a new individual.

In this project we will investigate in vitro oocyte maturation and early embryo development after the addition of a mixture extracted from in vivo collected follicular fluid from women undergoing fertility treatment (n=160). The aim is to use an effects-directed approach to identify harmful substances in follicular fluid.

We will pool the follicular fluid according to poor or good embryo quality as recorded during fertility treatment.

After extraction and concentration, it will be added to the medium during bovine oocyte maturation in vitro, a model well suited for comparisons with human in vitro fertilization procedures.

Oocytes and embryos will be closely examined and the fraction found likely to disturb maturation or embryo development will be analysed using a non-target screening approach to reveal the fraction composition.

By this top-bottom approach we hope to gain information that in time can be used for legislative purposes to reduce the harmful exposure.