Toxic Metal and Trace Element Concentrations in Blood and Outcome of In Vitro Fertilization in Women

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of trace element and toxic metal concentrations in blood and the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The study included 104 consecutive patients that underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. The following parameters were determined: cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb); and copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and magnesium (Mg). Serum samples were obtained before commencing stimulation. Patients with smoking habit had significantly higher Pb concentrations (P=0.022), as well as higher concentrations of As and Hg but not significantly. All subjects were divided into groups of pregnant and nonpregnant patients. Pregnant patients had lower mean values of Mg (P=0.009), As (P lt 0.05), and Pb (P=0.034), compared to nonpregnant, and a significant correlation between pregnancy outcome and concentrations of Mg, Cd, and Pb was found. Women who had had delivered had lower Mg (P=0.009) and Cd (P=0.014) concentrations. There was a significant correlation of the negative outcome of IVF procedure with higher concentrations of Pb (P=0.046) and Cd (P=0.012). In conclusion, our results suggest that there is a difference in Mg, Pb, and Cd concentrations between pregnant and nonpregnant women. There was no association between toxic metals and number and quality of oocytes and embryos, while there was with fertilization rate. Concerning trace elements, we did not find the correlation of trace elements with oocyte number and quality, nor with a number of fertilized oocytes, except for Cu. Patients who were pregnant had lower concentrations of Mg.