Paternal occupational exposures and embryo implantation rates after IVF

Objective: To investigate any influence of paternal occupational exposures on implantation rates after IVF. Design: Cohort study of couples who sought IVF treatment. Setting: University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands. Patient(s): The study population was composed of 726 couples pursuing IVF t reatment. Intervention(s): Only the earliest IVF: treatment cycle with ET was selecte d fur the analysis. All couples filled in a generic questionnaire on lifest yle factors and details about their occupation. In addition, more detailed exposure information was obtained for pesticides with use of job-specific q uestionnaires and a subsequent telephone interview. Main Outcome Measure(s): The implantation rate was defined as the number of gestational sacs seen with ultrasound at 6-7 weeks of pregnancy, divided b y the number of embryos replaced. Result(s): A significantly reduced implantation rate was seen among couples with male partners working in occupations with presumably high levels of o rganic solvent exposure. Conversely, paternal pesticide exposure was signif icantly associated with an increased implantation rate. Paternal exposures to metal dust or fumes and welding fumes were not related to the probabilit y of implantation. Conclusion(s): The findings suggested that paternal organic solvent exposur e decreased the implantation rate among couples undergoing IVF-ET treatment . (Fertil Steril (R) 2000;74:690-5. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reprod uctive Medicine.).