CONTAMINATION OF HUMAN OVARIAN FOLLICULAR-FLUID AND SERUM BY CHLORINATED ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS IN 3 CANADIAN CITIES

Objectives: To determine the extent of contamination of ovarian follic ular fluid and serum samples in women undergoing in-vitro fertilizatio n and to study the effect of the contaminants on reproductive outcome. Design: Inception cohort study. Patients: Seventy-four women undergoi ng in-vitro fertilization at three regional clinics in Halifax, Hamilt on, Ont., and Vancouver. Main outcome measures: Follicular fluid and s erum levels of contaminants, cleavage rates and time to cleavage of fi rst egg. Results: Five chlorinated organic chemicals were frequently f ound in the two types of samples: alpha-chlordane (ALCH), dichlorochlo rophenylethylene (DDE), heptachloro-epoxide-oxychlordane (OXCH), hexac hlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). The levels were generally low. Regional differences between the three clinics were pr esent. Samples from the Halifax clinic had the lowest frequency and le vel of contamination. The source of drinking water (well, bottled or m unicipal) was an important confounder. The concentrations of the five contaminants did not affect the cleavage rate or the time to cleavage of the first egg. Conclusion: Trace amounts of toxic and persistent ch lorinated organic chemicals found in the follicular fluid of Canadian women undergoing in-vitro fertilization did not seem to have any adver se biologic effect on the rate of fertilization and the time to cleava ge. Reasons for regional differences in the concentrations of contamin ants require further study.