Comparison of Organochlorine Pesticide Levels in Blood and Follicular Fluid of Infertile Women

Overview

Objective:
The aim of this study was to detect DDT and its metabolites, lindane and its conformers (alfa, beta, gama and delta conformers of hexachlorocyklohexane – HCH) and hexacyclobenzene (HCB) in blood and follicular fluid of infertile women undergoing IVF+ET program. In the case if their detection, to confirm their cumulation in follicular fluid.

Design:
Pilot study.

Setting:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General Faculty Hospital, Prague, AXYS Varilab s.r.o., Vrané nad Vltavou, Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University and General Faculty Hospital, Prague, Euromise Centrum, Charles University and Academy of Arts, Prague, Czech republic.

Methods:
We detected the level of DDT, DDE, DDD, lindane and its conformers (alfa, beta, gama and delta conformers of hexachlorocyklohexane – HCH) and hexacyclobenzene (HCB) in blood and folicular fluid of 30 infertile women undergoing IVF + ET program. We recieved the follicular fluid by transvaginal punction of follicular fluid under ultrasonography control. The venous blood was taken before begining of anestesia. The follicular fluid and blood were frozen and transported to the laboratory. There the samples were examinated by the methods of gass chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Results:
We confirmed the possibility of detection of DDT, DDE, DDD, lindane and its conformers (alfa, beta, gama and delta conformers of hexachlorocyclohexane – HCH) and hexacyclobenzene (HCB) in blood and follicular fluid of infertile women. The differences in concentrations in blood and follicular fluid were statistically analysed. We confirmed the cumulation of DDT, DDE, DDD, lindane and its conformers (alfa, beta, gama and delta conformers of hexachlorocyclohexane – HCH) and hexacyclobenzene (HCB) in follicular fluid of infertile women. The levels of these compounds in blood differed from 2.8 to 6399.3 ng/g of fat, in follicular fluid from 1.4 to 4 099.8 ng/g of fat.

Conclusion:
It is possible to detect DDT, DDE, DDD, lindane and its conformers (alfa, beta, gama and delta conformers of hexachlorocyclohexane – HCH) and hexacyclobenzene (HCB) in blood and follicular fluid of infertile women. The cumulation of these xenobiotics in follicular fluid was found.

Key words:
IVF + ET program, DDT, DDE, DDD, xenobiotics, signal disruptors, HCB, α-HCH, β-HCH, lindane, δ-HCH