Presented at ASRM:
In Women Undergoing in Vitro Fertilisation, High Levels of Environmental Mercury Have Negative Impact on the Number of Oocytes Retrieved
(sz) High levels of mercury present in hair analysis correlates with lower numbers of oocytes retrieved in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF), researchers reported here at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Joseph O. Doyle, MD, Vincent Memorial Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, presented the preliminary results of this ongoing study here on October 16.
“Our [patient] population consists only of patients in the Boston area, so this study is looking at an East Coast population and their mercury levels,” said Dr. Doyle.
Dr. Doyle and colleagues conducted their study to determine whether there is a correlation between hair mercury level, embryo quality, and early developmental outcomes of the infants among women presenting for initiation of fertility treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital.
For the prospective cohort study, the researchers collected proximal hair samples 3-cm in length and determined their total mercury content. They compared the mercury content of the study population with the national median and with levels determined to be safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). more…
From: »Doctor’s Guide Channels«