Investigation of pesticides (organochlorine compounds) in human follicular fluid and its effects on pregnancy outcomes in IVF-icsi cycles

Objective: To determine pesticides (organochlorine and its metabolites) in follicular fluid in IVF-ICSI cycles, and to evaluate the effects of pesticides on oocyte quality, embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Between November 2014 and May 2015, follicular fluid samples collected from 98 women undergoing IVF-ICSI treatment in Akdeniz University Hospital at the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility. Samples were analyzed by means of gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry to examine the presence of pesticides in follicular fluid. In the study we compared pesticide positive group and pesticide negative group in terms of age, body mass index, infertility etiology, infertility duration, basal FSH, LH, E2, maximum E2 level in the cycle, total gonadotropin dosage used, total number of embryo that were developed and transferred, oocyte and embryo quality and clinical pregnancy rates. We used Mann-Whitney-U test, Chi Square test for statistical evaluation. p<0.05 value accepted for statistical significance. Results: Follicular fluid samples collected from 98 women undergoing IVF-ICSI treatment, in 6 women follicular fluid samples were positive for pesticides. Pesticide positive rate were 6,1%. Pesticide positive and negative groups were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, IVF – ICSI parameters and pregnancy outcomes. In pesticide positive group age was higher, basal E2 levels were higher, and oocyte quality were impaired. These discrepancies were statistically significant (p<0.05). For other parameters and variables there were not any difference between both groups. Conclusion: The presence of pesticides in follicular fluid may impair oocyte quality in IVF-ICSI cycles. This association should be studied in other large trials including more patients.