A recent study has uncovered a potential link between air pollution and decreased success rates in in vitro fertilization (IVF), a growing fertility treatment option. The research highlights the vulnerability of both egg and sperm quality to environmental factors.

The study, conducted by Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, analyzed air pollution data from the Environmental Protection Agency alongside IVF cycle data, specifically focusing on periods of egg development, ovarian stimulation, and sperm maturation. Researchers observed that increased exposure to air pollutants during these critical timeframes correlated with reduced egg survival and compromised embryo quality.

Furthermore, the research revealed that higher concentrations of specific air pollutants on the day of egg thawing were associated with diminished egg survival and lower fertilization rates. This finding is particularly significant because it used donor eggs, allowing researchers to isolate the effects of air pollution on the egg and sperm separately.

Published in the journal Environment International, the study emphasized the impact of organic carbon, a component of PM2.5, on egg and embryo quality. PM2.5 particles, commonly resulting from vehicle emissions and wildfires, are known to penetrate deep into the respiratory system. Researchers now plan a multi-pollutant analysis to provide a more comprehensive picture of the interaction between air quality and IVF success.

Mary Willis, a Boston University School of Public Health professor not involved in the study, lauded its innovative approach. She highlighted that the precision of IVF timing allows for the investigation of highly specific biological mechanisms. This detailed insight, she noted, enables researchers to pinpoint the exact periods when air pollution affects critical reproductive processes.

While acknowledging the limitations of focusing on individual pollutants, researchers emphasize the implications of their findings. The study adds to a growing body of evidence highlighting air pollution’s impact on reproductive health and supports the need for more informed practices for those undergoing fertility treatments.

Notably, despite overall improvements in air quality over the past few decades, a significant portion of the U.S. population still lives in areas with unhealthy pollution levels, disproportionately affecting people of color. This research builds on previous findings, including an Australian study that linked decreased live birth rates with higher levels of air pollution during frozen embryo transfers.

The implications of this research extend beyond assisted reproductive technology, with other studies linking air pollution to broader male and female infertility issues. It underscores the importance of considering environmental factors in reproductive health recommendations. The lead author, Sarah LaPointe, points to the need to include men in discussions and recommendations to mitigate exposure to harmful pollutants during critical reproductive periods.