Women undergoing IVF or ICSI who have higher levels of a chemical called 8:2Cl-PFESA in their blood show a 67.4% lower rate of egg fertilization compared to those with lower levels.

Pro

Against

Mechanism

Synthesis from 1 study

How it works

A chemical in the blood gets into the sperm and egg cells and changes how their outer layers behave, making it harder for them to stick together and fuse. Even if both cells look normal, they can’t complete the first step of fertilization because their surfaces no longer interact properly.

Most probable mechanism

In Simple Terms

A chemical in the blood interferes with the way sperm and egg cells connect and fuse, making it much harder for the sperm to enter the egg and start fertilization.

Causal chain

8:2Cl-PFESA accumulates in reproductive tissues and binds to lipid-rich membranes of sperm and oocytes

Indirect evidence only

which leads to

This binding alters membrane fluidity and disrupts the organization of fusion proteins required for sperm-oocyte membrane merging

Indirect evidence only

which leads to

The structural change prevents the calcium signaling cascade that normally triggers cortical granule exocytosis and block to polyspermy

Indirect evidence only

which leads to

Failure of membrane fusion results in incomplete or absent fertilization despite normal sperm motility and oocyte maturity

Indirect evidence only

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Community contributions welcome

Associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and reproductive outcomes among women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment.

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2026 Jan

Contradicting (0)

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and reproductive outcomes among women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment.

Score: 46

DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2025.109107

Similar Assertions

Women undergoing IVF or ICSI who have higher levels of a chemical called 6:2Cl-PFESA in their blood tend to produce fewer fertilized eggs and fewer embryos that progress to the cleavage stage.

79%

If women have higher levels of certain chemicals called PFAS in their blood and ovarian fluid, they may have a harder time getting pregnant through IVF — including fewer eggs, lower-quality embryos, and fewer live births — even when accounting for age, weight, and hormone levels.

73%

Women undergoing IVF or ICSI who have higher levels of the chemical PFHxS in their blood tend to produce fewer high-quality embryos, according to observed data.

72%

Women undergoing IVF or ICSI who have higher levels of PFOA in their blood are less likely to achieve pregnancy, possibly because PFOA interferes with the processes involved in embryo implantation or early placental formation.

71%